matej dlabal graphically captures the evolution of architects

matej dlabal graphically captures the evolution of architects
all images courtesy of matej dlabal

matej dlabal has created series of illustrations that show the way that architects have portrayed themselves in front of the public throughout history in a response to a question directed towards frank gehry at a press conference in spain. the 85-year-old designer has been quoted by archdaily saying:

‘let me tell you one thing. In this world we are living in, 98 percent of everything that is built and designed today is pure shit. there’s no sense of design, no respect for humanity or for anything else. they are damn buildings and that’s it.

once in a while, however, there’s a small group of people who does something special. very few. but good god, leave us alone! we are dedicated to our work. I don’t ask for work. I don’t have a publicist. I’m not waiting for anyone to call me. I work with clients who respect the art of architecture. therefore, please don’t ask questions as stupid as that one.’

filippo brunelleschi and the golden rule 

the brief presentation takes quotes and icons from the minds of three designers – filippo brunelleschi, mies van der rohe, frank gehry – as a way to show the evolution of expression. in dlabal’s opinion, gehry has gone over the line: ‘even if our society has constantly less moral principles and is ‘freed’ from all the rules that some might find ‘oppressive’, architects should consider maintaining a certain higher and respected status and be rather diplomatic in their approach to public expression. it is somewhat maladroit, for an architect such as frank gehry, to express one’s opinion openly and arrogantly. in addition, many critics and even the public sees frank gehry’s late work as being part of the ‘98%’, which does not help his public image that he has maybe made a little more infamous.’

mies van der rohe and his most famous quote

frank gehry and his middle finger

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.