This holiday season, there’s
a W for every design afficianado on your list… Starting with some great videos. Check back next week for book
suggestions, and the following week for gifts that give back to the design
community.
What: A look behind the
scenes… “Sketches of Frank Gehry”
Acclaimed film director
Sydney Pollack took a five-year break from the realms of fiction to assemble a
lovingly crafted tribute to longtime friend and acclaimed architect Frank Gehry
in this documentary born from the sketches of its talented subject. A
notoriously shy craftsman whose impressive body of work includes the Walt
Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles and the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao, Ghery is
shown working in his studio unobstructed as Pollack attempts to capture the
very essence of the artist's bold works through use of film and digital video.
Driven by an intimate but informal series of discussions between Ghery and
Pollack, Sketches of Frank Gehry uses the subject of architecture as a
launching point to discuss the creative process, and paints a fascinating
portrait of how one humble man was able to create some of the world's most
awe-inspiring structures.
Who: The iconic
architect… “Maya Lin: A Strong Clear
Vision”
Maya Lin is the young artist
who created the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington DC. This documentary
profiles this and her other politically motivated artistic creations. It also
chronicles her maturation from a very young, enthusiastic 20-year old artist
who, just for a lark, submitted her winning entry in the national contest for
would-be designers of the monument, to a mature and articulate artist.
Where: A little place in the
country… “Mr. Blandings Builds His
Dream House”
Fed up with crowded big-city
living, advertising executive Mr. Blandings (Cary Grant) decides to seek out a
big, roomy house in the country. Armed with more enthusiasm than common sense,
Blandings causes many a headache for his lawyer/business manager Melvyn Douglas,
who tries to keep the costs within a reasonable amount. Alas, Blandings bulls
ahead on his own, first purchasing an estate on the verge of collapse, then
opting to build his dream house from scratch.
When: Midcentury modern… “Eames:
The Architect and the Painter”
Actor James Franco narrates
this richly textured documentary on the celebrated husband-and-wife design team
of Charles and Ray Eames. In addition to creating extraordinary plywood and
fiberglass furniture, the Eames' also produced everything from children's toys
to splints for wounded World War II soldiers.
Why: Because “Life is a
banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!”… Auntie Mame
Images and copy courtesy
bn.com.
