Why Frank Gehry showed a middle finger to a reporter and declared ‘98% of architecture is crap’

Frank Gehry, one of the most influential architects of the modern era whose sculptural designs transformed skylines around the world, has died at 96. His death was confirmed by multiple outlets citing a spokesperson for Gehry Partners. He is survived by his wife, Berta, and three children; another daughter, Leslie Gehry Brenner, died in 2008.

As tributes pour in, an earlier moment from Gehry’s public life has resurfaced: the day he raised his middle finger during a press event in Spain. Reported by Spanish newspaper El Mundo The incident happened in October 2014, and it is often replayed online. It occurred at the Hotel La Reconquista in Oviedo, shortly after he received the prestigious Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts.

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Frank Gehry's criticism

During the press conference, a journalist asked how Gehry responded to critics who accused him of designing “spectacle architecture.” Gehry’s initial response was wordless: he lifted his ring-finger hand and flashed a silent, unmistakable gesture, a middle finger held aloft with a wry smile. The room froze, stunned by the bluntness of the moment, as per the Spanish outlet.

Pressed further, Gehry eventually delivered a fiery defense of his work. “In the world we live in, 98% of what is built and designed today is pure crap,” he said. “There’s no sense of design, no respect for humanity, just damn buildings. Every now and then, a few people do something special. That’s all. So don’t ask stupid questions like that.”

Frank Gehry controversy and apology

The exchange briefly grew tense, with a moderator stepping in to move on. But moments later, Gehry softened and apologized directly to the journalist: “I’m sorry. You caught me off guard, and I reacted that way. Will you excuse me?”

The episode, part irritation, part exhaustion, and part theatrical honesty, remains one of the most widely quoted snapshots of Gehry’s career. But for Gehry himself, as he later suggested, it was simply a moment of fatigue: “Please understand that I’m tired and a little dazed from the trip.”

FAQs on Frank Gehry finger

Who was Frank Gehry?

Frank Gehry was one of the most influential architects of the modern era, known for his bold, sculptural designs such as the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. He won every major architectural award and shaped contemporary architecture for more than half a century.

Why did Frank Gehry show a middle finger to a reporter?

Gehry flipped off a journalist during a press conference after being asked whether he practiced “spectacle architecture.” He reacted sharply to what he felt was a dismissive question about his life’s work.

What did Frank Gehry mean when he said “98% of architecture is crap”?

Gehry was criticizing what he saw as uninspired, purely functional building design. He argued that the vast majority of architecture lacks creativity, human-centered thinking, or artistic ambition.