In his architectural design, Frank Gehry's most immediate references are painting and sculpture: 'I search out the work of artists, and use art as a means of inspiration. I try to rid myself ... of the burden of culture and look for new ways to approach the work. I want to be open-ended. There are no rules, no right or wrong. I'm confused as to what's ugly and what's pretty'. [Frank Gehry: "The Search for a 'No Rules' Architecture", Architectural Record June 1976, p. 95]'.
This has not, however, stopped Gehry from evoking the architectural past, for example, the reference to Greek classical columns in the Loyola Law School [CA: Los Angeles. 1981-84]. Or, Japanese classical architecture and its wood craft aesthetic which has an immediate appeal to him.
