America's Greatest Living Architect

Los Angeles Times architecture critic Nicolai Ouroussoff praises the just-opened Disney Hall as a shining testament to Frank Gehry and Los Angeles.

1 minute read

October 21, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"...What makes the building so moving as a work of architecture is its ability to express a deeper creative conflict: the recognition that ideal beauty rarely exists in an imperfect world. It is this tension — and the delicacy with which Gehry resolves it — that makes Disney Hall such a powerful work of social commentary. That he could accomplish this despite a tortured construction process that dragged out over 16 years is a minor miracle. Its success affirms both Gehry's place as America's greatest living architectural talent and Los Angeles' growing cultural maturity."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Monday, October 20, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

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