360 Degree Thinking: Frank Gehry

I have never truly thought about special architects or their philosophy to their buildings what-so-ever. I always do see the beauty in some buildings and some ugly parts in others, but that's the extent of my thought on architecture. Recently, after learning about Frank Gehry, I started noticing little details in buildings and I'm trying to think what the architect was thinking and trying to accomplish. What their motivation was and what keeps them to continue making new and improved designs.

Obviously I never really come up with the correct answer to those things but I do like to think, how do they keep making these buildings similar to each other but yet so different. How does that imagination and creativity never really blow out like a flame? It's an outstanding thing to think about because I do understand that if they truly love what they do, then they will try all they can to keep the blood flowing in their brains and the ideas moving in their minds. But what REALLY fascinates me is how no matter the number of architects and buildings there are, none will look identical to the next. That's astounding to me because it can easily relate to people. We all are made of the same stuff, but none of use look absolutely identical.

But coming back to Frank Gehry, although each building is a different shape, he likes to use the same metal material for the outside. I don't really like the material but it lets people know that it is a Frank Gehry building and he is proud of it.While watching the film on him, I liked seeing he and his teams' phases on creating these buildings. They throw ideas out there, start making small models and if there is something he or they don't particularly like, they take that part out and add something new. But everything has a different texture to it whether there are curves or straight edges. To me, that adds a different perspective to these buildings and I really do like that.

But, what if he changed the materials? How could that affect his designs either negatively or positively. It can definitely add new perspectives and views to his work, or it can make his buildings harder to accomplish due to the complexity of the materials. But if that were the case, then he would possibly have to choose easier materials which he may not like. But I would find his buildings to be even more enjoyable to look at if there were some sides with that bright and shiny metal material and then some brick type stuff along with a softer material to soften up the entire building. In my opinion, it could even enhance the complexities of his buildings and bring a potential new meaning to his work and his buildings.

I honestly believe that if he were to try new materials that weren't too difficult to work with, it could only be an advantage to him and I really don't think there is any potentially detrimental sides of this process. I have really only seen good stories of people who try new healthy things, that it works out well for them, so if he would be okay breaking out of his own comfort zone, then I think he should take that first step to trying new materials.

Blogging Around: Hannah and Jessie

Hannah wrote about how postmodernism and abstract art helped her understand it more. I agreed with pretty much everything she said and I can relate to her thoughts.
This is what I commented on:
I like how you talked about absract art and how it helped you understand postmodernism more than some of the examples from class. While we were going through the postmodern side of tht chart, I too was thinking of how abstract art and postmodernism were connected. And then I noticed that although I like to look at some modern art and scultures, I have always like the more postmodern buildings and sculptures. So pretty much I agree with everything you said here and this is somewhat the same idea as what I was attempting to say in my blog. Good job!

Jessie wrote her blog about how she wished our postmodern world would slow down and really start re-thinking about the modern world. I see what she's saying but I just don't see how with all of our technological advances, how it's possible to go backwards to the modernistic world.
This is what I commented:
I see what you're saying here and I completely understand but if you aren't liking this, how do you think we should change it? Can we even change it? I think it will be an interesting experience/experiment to see how this world of advertisment can be changed back into a world of simplicity and the individual. But with all of our new technologies and the constant moving forward into more futuristic thoughts and products, is that even a possibility to move back to the individualism that we once knew. I liked seeing this new view on these things :) Good job!

Best of the Week: Corporate Space

    While learning about the modern and post modernism chart that Mr. Allen created, a particular piece of information somewhat stuck with me. It was the idea of corporate space and about space in general. A lot of people are saying that the way of advertising and corporate products are being forced into our everyday lives, everywhere is a negative thing. But how can it be so negative and horrible when 99% of your belongings are because of the advertisements and the infomercials. 

    I'm not saying that I want all spaces to be empty nor am I saying I want all of it to be completely filled by advertising and corporations but what I am saying is that, without all of these things, we wouldn't have a lot of what we do and we wouldn't know about a lot of the things we know about. It's also not like the advertising commercials are boring either. So why is it so negatively viewed by a lot of people?

    Many many people have TVs which is primarily why all of the commercials are even entertaining. The companies try to fit their commercials with what is interesting people today. It grabs our attention and tells us all about their product. And, we sit there and watch it. 

    Yeah it's sometimes a pain to see 7 commercials every 3-5 minutes during your favorite show but it is VERY likely that you will eventually go out and buy some of that product. What else would you prefer that space to be used for?! And do you realize that space is very expensive too?!