Why Frank Gehry showed a middle finger to a reporter and declared ‘98% of architecture is crap’
As tributes poured in, an older moment from Gehry’s public life resurfaced: the day he raised his middle finger during a press event in Spain. According to the Spanish newspaper El Mundo, the incident occurred in October 2014 and is frequently repeated on the internet. The event took place at the Hotel La Reconquista in Oviedo, shortly after receiving the prestigious Prince of Asturias Art Prize.
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Criticism of Frank Gehry
During the press conference, a journalist asked how Gehry responded to critics who accused him of designing “spectacle architecture.” Gehry’s initial reaction was nonverbal: he raised his hand on his ring finger and made a quiet, distinct gesture; He raised his middle finger in the air with a sarcastic smile. According to the Spanish press, the room was stunned by the recklessness of the moment.
Going further, Gehry eventually offered an impassioned defense of his work. “In the world we live in, 98% of what is built and designed today is pure nonsense,” he said. “No sense of design, no respect for humanity, just fucking buildings. A few people do something special every now and then. That’s all. So don’t ask stupid questions like that.”
Frank Gehry controversy and apology
The conversation briefly became tense when a moderator stepped in. But after a few minutes, Gehry relented and apologized directly to the journalist: “I’m sorry. You caught me off guard and that’s how I reacted. Will you excuse me?” Part anger, part exhaustion, and part theatrical honesty, the episode remains one of the most quoted snapshots of Gehry’s career. But for Gehry himself, it was only a moment of fatigue, as he later stated: “Please understand that I am tired and a little dazed from the journey.”
FAQ about Frank Gehry finger
Who was Frank Gehry?
Frank Gehry was one of the most influential architects of the modern era, known for his bold, sculptural designs such as the Guggenheim Bilbao Museum and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. For more than half a century it won all the major architectural awards and shaped contemporary architecture.
Why did Frank Gehry show his middle finger to a reporter?
Gehry angered a journalist at the press conference when he was asked if he was working with “architecture of spectacle.” He reacted harshly to what he thought was a condescending question about his life’s work.
What did Frank Gehry mean when he said “98% of architecture is bullshit”?
Gehry was critical of what he saw as uninspired, purely functional building design. He argued that the vast majority of architecture lacks creativity, human-centered thinking, or artistic ambition.
