Bridge 4 Writing Assignment: Creative Memorialization
This fourth bridge assignment asks you to write a piece of creative non-fiction about an artist as an act of remembrance. Throughout this unit we will consider examples of “creative memorialization” as a way to inspire your own writing. You can think of “memorialize” as commemorating, honoring, remembering, and paying tribute to something or someone who is no longer with us. However, we will also consider further ways to define and redefine this idea of “creative memorialization” as a class.
Introduction
To some people, building means the home which is a place that people feel cozy, secured and recharge their life. To some people, building means work, which is a place that people earn their life, reputation and dream. To some people, building means history, which is a place people memorized their ancestors and appreciate the achievements that those great people had been achieved. To me, building means all of the above and one more person, Frank Gehry.
Life can be tough when you haven’t proved yourself to the world that you have got talent. Frank Gehry, one of the most innovative architects who had never been considered as a gifted architect in his early career showed the world that he could redefine the design of postmodern architecture. Much of Gehry’s work reflect a spirit of experimentation coupled with a respect for the demands of professional practice. His work has sought to escape modernist stylistic tropes while still remaining interested in some of its underlying transformation agendas. His inspirational story had inspired young architects to believe in their dreams and renovate the way people build architecture.
Meaning of Building
“Building”, a simple word which we learned as kids in kindergarten. I used to pile wood blocks to construct my “skyscraper” with my mates when I was a kid. The miniature model building was not only a toy but a creature which required our brains and hands to cooperate together. With human civilization, buildings are the evidence which shows the prosperity of the ancient empires from the pyramids of ancient Egypt, The Great Wall of China, the Colosseum in Rome, the temples in Aztec and so on. These are the treasure and achievements that our ancestors had extracted their effort and intelligent to build and contain their dreams and blood. Ancient architectures are the legacy that our ancestors left for us. Modern architectures will be the compelling evidence that show the achievements of our time, and our offsprings can appreciate the exquisite art of their ancestors.
My Experience with Gehry’s work
The IAC Headquarters in New York City
My initial experience with Frank Gehry’s work was his innovative design located on 18th Street 11 Ave in Manhattan. The headquarters building which was designed as a huge ice cube shape with a semi-transparent glass exterior for IAC group. I was deeply impressed by the creativity and irregular design that makes the building so unique and standout among the skyscrapers in New York City. I had never seen a building with an organic shape which can strikingly overshine the area with its asymmetrical postmodern design. At the moment, I deeply admired the designer of the architecture and the impression reconstructed my understanding of the meaning of architecture. I used to define the building as an object which can offer a comfortable place for people to work or live, but now, the extraordinary design of the IAC headquarters evoked my enthusiasm to create a monumental edifice that can influence the cultural heritage.
I did some research about the building and found out the building was originated by Frank Gehry’s team. It turns out that Frank is labeled by Vanity Fair as “one of the most important architects of our age” and most of his design had become world-renowned attractions.
I was amazed by Frank’s design and curious how he could achieve the greatness and became an icon of the age. As I know more and more about his background and his struggling life story, what most encouraged me was not how famous he is right now but the inspirational spirit under his route to achieve success. The world of art is full of uncertainty and competition which would never guarantee a secure job with a decent salary. Failure strikes most of the people backward from their initial beliefs of their talent. Although Frank had been proved not good at school work and frustrated by the crucial reality. He insisted on his dream to realize his innovative idea of what he thinks a modern architecture should look like. His struggling in early career was similar to most of the newcomers who encountered the competition for the first time.Unlike those losers, Frank believes himself more than the grade he was given during the school and the criticized he labeled in his early career.
Studio Piece
