BioMuseo architect Gehry wins prestigious arts award

CANADIAN born Frank Gehry 85,who is married to a Panamanian, on Wednesday, April 7,became the sixth architect to receive the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts.

 It was previously awarded to Rafael Moneo , Norman Foster, Oscar Niemeyer, Francisco Javier Sáenz de Oiza and Santiago Calatrava.

With his works he has "defined and driven architecture in the last half century," said the jury that awarded the distinction in Oviedo, Spain.
"It is extraordinary that an architect receives a prize for the arts. This reminds us that the architects are also artists , and not just allies of builders or real estate, said Reinier Rodríguez architect and former director of the National Institute of Culture .
"Gehry is really an architectural sculptor. He is artist over architect and well deserves theAsturias" says I. Roberto Eisenmann , Jr. , who has known him for 25 years.
"He is a very simple man. The fame has not changed him. He is a very nice person and is one of those people who enjoys being with his family. Gehry has his feet on the ground and is hardworking "says Eisenmann.
Gehry designed the Panama’s Biomuseo on the Amador Causeway.
"While no one doubts that he is a controversial figure, Gehry is one of those characters that historically appears once every century and change our understanding of art, architecture , cities and the way we relate to the world . The Prince of Asturias award is well deserved , "said Pilar Arosemena de Aleman, president of the Amador Foundation.