Gehry's Secret Art: Beyond Iconic Buildings

The Gagosian gallery in Beverly Hills is currently hosting an exhibition dedicated to the non-architectural works of the renowned architect Frank Gehry. Gehry, who passed away in 2025 at the age of 96, was celebrated for iconic structures but also created art pieces inspired by animal forms and materials. This show, titled Frank Gehry, highlights his fascination with the fluid shape of fish, which he considered a "perfect form" and integrated into his architectural masterpieces, such as the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

The exhibition features dozens of fish sculptures, alongside a bear and snakes, demonstrating Gehry's ability to capture the kinetic essence of creatures. His "fish lamps," utilizing carefully selected LED bulbs and meticulously placed scales, play with light to create atmospheric and immersive experiences. A standout piece is the 7-ft stainless steel "Bear with Us," inspired by a patron's request for a full-size sculpture.

This exhibition also underscores the long-standing relationship between Gehry and Gagosian, dating back to his unique lamps shown in 1984. His early inspiration for the fish lamps reportedly came from observing the scales in fractured Formica. The show aims to be a gathering place for Gehry's admirers, offering a fresh perspective on his art and celebrating his warmth and generosity as a human being.