Renowned architect Frank Gehry has left an indelible mark on Philadelphia's iconic Philadelphia Art Museum, but one proposal to alter its beloved Rocky Steps may remain forever shrouded in controversy. Nine years ago, as part of his renovation plans for nearly 90,000 square feet of space inside the museum, Gehry floated a radical idea – removing a portion of the East Terrace steps and installing a 24-foot window that would serve as the east-facing wall of a new gallery.
The proposal was met with fierce opposition from fans of the Rocky franchise, who vehemently protested any alterations to the iconic attraction. A petition calling for the preservation of the Rocky Steps garnered over 1,400 signatures, sparking heated debate among locals and art enthusiasts alike.
Despite initial reservations from some museum officials, Gehry remained steadfast in his vision, stating that such a change could have a profound impact on the galleries. "We're trying to be discreet, and we're still studying this," he told the Inquirer in 2014. "There are 10 different ways to do it. It's not a done deal by any means. It's something we resisted doing."
However, Gehry's detractors saw his proposal as a affront to the museum's cherished history and the very essence of Rocky – an unlikely underdog who became a cultural icon. As one writer aptly put it, "It's stupid, of course – it's a movie – but the reason the Art Museum steps are vibrant is because of all the tourists who run up them, whether they enter the museum or not."
Despite this backlash, Gehry persevered, and his eventual design for the Philadelphia Art Museum Core Project has left an enduring legacy. The building boasts a rebuilt West Terrace, a Williams Forum activity space, and an extensively renovated 640-foot corridor, known as the Vaulted Walkway.
Throughout his illustrious career, Gehry's innovative approach to architecture was marked by bold experimentation and a willingness to push boundaries. From his famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, his structures continue to inspire awe and fascination worldwide.
As news of Gehry's passing at 96 years old spread, fans and fellow architects alike are left to ponder the impact he had on art and culture. Though his proposal for the Rocky Steps may never see the light of day, it remains a testament to Gehry's unwavering commitment to innovation and artistic expression – an enduring legacy that will forever be etched in the annals of architectural history.
The proposal was met with fierce opposition from fans of the Rocky franchise, who vehemently protested any alterations to the iconic attraction. A petition calling for the preservation of the Rocky Steps garnered over 1,400 signatures, sparking heated debate among locals and art enthusiasts alike.
Despite initial reservations from some museum officials, Gehry remained steadfast in his vision, stating that such a change could have a profound impact on the galleries. "We're trying to be discreet, and we're still studying this," he told the Inquirer in 2014. "There are 10 different ways to do it. It's not a done deal by any means. It's something we resisted doing."
However, Gehry's detractors saw his proposal as a affront to the museum's cherished history and the very essence of Rocky – an unlikely underdog who became a cultural icon. As one writer aptly put it, "It's stupid, of course – it's a movie – but the reason the Art Museum steps are vibrant is because of all the tourists who run up them, whether they enter the museum or not."
Despite this backlash, Gehry persevered, and his eventual design for the Philadelphia Art Museum Core Project has left an enduring legacy. The building boasts a rebuilt West Terrace, a Williams Forum activity space, and an extensively renovated 640-foot corridor, known as the Vaulted Walkway.
Throughout his illustrious career, Gehry's innovative approach to architecture was marked by bold experimentation and a willingness to push boundaries. From his famous Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain to the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, his structures continue to inspire awe and fascination worldwide.
As news of Gehry's passing at 96 years old spread, fans and fellow architects alike are left to ponder the impact he had on art and culture. Though his proposal for the Rocky Steps may never see the light of day, it remains a testament to Gehry's unwavering commitment to innovation and artistic expression – an enduring legacy that will forever be etched in the annals of architectural history.
... I mean, can you imagine altering such an iconic part of Philly's landscape? Frank Gehry's proposal 9 years ago was definitely a bold move, and it's crazy how passionate fans got about preserving the steps. 
The controversy surrounding it is still pretty intense.
His legacy will live on, even if that one proposal never came to fruition.
, your innovative spirit will continue to inspire architects and art lovers around the world. 
It's crazy how attached we get to these iconic landmarks, but at the same time it's awesome that Gehry kept pushing boundaries even when faced with all that opposition 
and all those signatures against it just shows how attached ppl are to this movie franchise 
but at the end of the day, frank gehry is a genius architect who deserves way more recognition than this 
. That guy was a true original - his designs are like nothing you've ever seen before 
. I mean, who else could make a building that's all wonky and crazy look beautiful? 
The fact that he pushed the boundaries of architecture so much is what makes him such an iconic figure in the art world. And yeah, maybe his Rocky Steps idea was a bit of a hot mess 
, but that's just part of what made it so memorable. Anyway, I'm gonna miss this guy - he left us way too soon 
.
I feel bad for Frank Gehry, he wanted to make this gallery happen but fans were like super passionate about preserving the Rocky Steps 
. Like, I get it, those steps are iconic and have become a part of pop culture, but sometimes you gotta think outside the box 
. It's crazy how much controversy that one idea caused 
. We can still appreciate his innovative spirit even if we don't agree with every single decision 
). It's cool that he pushed boundaries and tried something new, even if it didn't work out. And hey, at least his legacy lives on, right? The building looks amazing now, and I can see why it's a cultural icon 
. Guess you could say his ideas might've been ahead of their time... but that's what makes him a genius in my book 
, but on the other hand, cant imagine walking past all those tourists without some kinda glass wall 
... maybe if they put window above the stairs people wouldnt even notice the original part is gone 
... still, its kinda cool that Frank Gehry was true 2 himself & his art 
... but can we talk about how iconic frank gehry's building is now? it's literally one of the most recognizable landmarks in philly! and i love how he always pushed boundaries with his designs, even if they weren't for everyone 
it's like walking into a work of art, right? anyway, i'm so sad to hear about gehry's passing 
... what an incredible legacy he leaves behind 
. You'd think people would be more open-minded about art and design changes. Oh well, I guess it just goes to show that even the most brilliant minds can spark debate 
. That man knew how to make an entrance (literally and figuratively) with his designs. The Walt Disney Concert Hall in LA? Mind blown 
and that's not something you can just do to a building, u know? and i think frank gehry was trying to make a point with this proposal, but it was just too radical for some people to handle 
but yeah, it's good that the museum did end up going with his original design, 'cause at least we can appreciate it for what it is now