We should celebrate variety rather than conformity and allow people to express themselves. That we don't is more of our denial. Frank Gehry More Quotes by Frank Gehry More Quotes From Frank Gehry There's a drive in us to express ourselves in some way or form. We pick up whatever material is available. It's primitive. Kids see sand on the beach, build something and show their parents: "Look what I did, Mama." It's necessary to us. Frank Gehry parent beach kids That's where you have to look for your inspiration. Don't separate the rest of your life - who you are, what you love - from your work. Frank Gehry rest-of-your-life inspiration looks You've got to bumble forward into the unknown. Frank Gehry famous-inspirational success life Childhood play is nothing more than an expression of our individuality and preparation for human interaction. Frank Gehry childhood expression play When people condemn me for designing iconic buildings in cities and not having an idea what a city is, they haven't done their homework. I started in urban design and city planning. It's just that when I got out of school there wasn't much of a market for that. There still isn't. Frank Gehry cities ideas school Time is just a blur for me. I don't know what - I don't even know where I am sometimes. Frank Gehry blur knows sometimes Let the experience begin! Frank Gehry experience You've got to like the people you work with. Frank Gehry people There are a great many things about architecture that are hidden from the untrained eye. Frank Gehry great-men architecture eye I found myself starting architecture with a deep social, Jewish, liberal conscience, and the belief that architecture is for the people. It was a do-gooder base; I was born and raised that way. I was for blacks, whites, Italians, Poles, whatever. Frank Gehry belief people way We're physiologically wired differently. Frank Gehry When I start my class I ask the students to write their signatures on pieces of paper and put them on a table. I have them look at them, and I point out, "They're all different, aren't they? That's you, that's you, that's you, that's you." Frank Gehry signatures writing class I don't know whose box I'm in, and I don't really care. Frank Gehry boxes care knows Artists dismiss me as an architect, so I'm not in their box, and architects dismiss me as an artist, so I'm not in their box. Frank Gehry architect boxes artist If I knew where I was going, I wouldn't do it. When I can predict or plan it, I don't do it. Frank Gehry plans i-can ifs The message I hope to have sent is just the example of being yourself. I tell this to my students: It's not about copying me or my logic systems. It's about allowing yourself to be yourself. Frank Gehry copying being-yourself self-esteem Everything - design and technology and materials - has changed since the World Trade Center was built. A lot of it has to do with computers, which allow us to be far more efficient as well as structurally sound. Frank Gehry design technology sound You have to build up a credibility before the support comes to you. Frank Gehry credibility support money I like the idea of collaboration - it pushes you. It's a richer experience. Frank Gehry collaboration ideas Art is about people. I think the discussion about whether architecture is art or not is lamebrain. Frank Gehry people art thinking