Old Man Talking from a Chair

 

Here's a Canadian-born icon who knows better than to avoid being famous.  While I don't know anything about architecture, I know who this guy is, and that says something, I think.  I like this talk as a model for work ethic, and I find I have a lot in common with him in this respect. I have never gone looking for work, having had all kinds of mad opportunities fall in my lap. This is not to say that I've never gone handing out resumes, but by the time I get a resume into an employer's hand, it has usually been a matter of formality.  Gehry also has some thoughts to share on formality, when he talk about having to sell oneself as a "good guy" before one begins doing real work. I totally agree that my history and ethos don't need to be established in an expository way.
As for talking about his work, I'm reminded of the John Maeda TED talk, especially when he mentions the simplicity of some modern architecture. I am also struck by his attention to context (totally thought of Anverie as he talked about that).  I also like how he mentions, but doesn't get all "arty" about, the reality that any collaborative work comes together best when it functions as a jazz improvisation.
This would have been much better as a talk with about 15 people in the room, as he is more comfortable in a conversational tone, it seems.  Not much of a presenter, but worth listening to.