Gehry is an internationally known starchitect and this is his first (long awaited) commission in NYC (click here for photos of the entire building. A quick review of his work will immediately tell you what all the controversy is about (such as the concert hall for Disney or this Dancing House). The recently completed IAC building shown in the photo is located in Chelsea at 19th Street and 11th Avenue and serves as world headquarters for the media and internet empire of Barry Diller. This work is rather tame by comparison to Gehry’s other work, typically very sculptural and characterized by warped, curved surfaces. His most well known work is the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain.
In spite of the critics, many do feel that works like Gehry’s are much needed in NYC, which has been plagued by essentially very conservative, bland, and utilitarian office buildings. I have written of a handful of other “starchitects” and their works in the city: Richard Meier and his residential towers in the West Village, David Rockwell and his renovation work at the W Hotel Union Square and at the Carlton, Philip Johnson and his Urban Glass House, and Charles Gwathmey and his 21-story glass residential condo at Astor Place. There are new projects by Santiago Calatrava and Jean Nouvel…
Gorgeous picture!
Thanks. It is apparently disturbing when I post photos with no people in them.
Disturbing to whom?
I hadn’t realised the Guggenheim in Bilbao was by Gehry. Looks a bit different to this one, but neither is bland! Good on him, I say.
I’m surprised how good it looks in your photos — nice work. In real life it’s danged ugly.
That’s Brian’s genius with a camera. He makes what looks ordinary or downright ugly to our eye into something beautiful so that the next time we see it we look at it with fresh eyes and a greater awareness. I have not seen this building personally but it looks really interesting in these pictures.
a modern day Howard Roark, is he!!! i am off to Seattle in Nov…and hoping to get my first glimpse ever of his unorthodox work there!!!
anonymous, patricia, moi –
You are all too kind. A beginner am I.
Hi there,
Nice stuff you got, very fabulous pics.
Well, I do have also in my sleeves, if you have time don’t forget to visit
photosorcery.com
Many thanks
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