world in progress...

Part architecture documentary, part personal journey of discovery, My Architect examines the life of Louis Kahn through the eyes of his son, Nathaniel.

Kahn was charismatic, ugly, passionate, temperamental, demanding, driven, scarred, isolated and itinerant. He found his professional style late and was critically acclaimed, if commercially unsuccessful. He evoked strong feelings in family, colleagues, students, clients, peers and rivals. He had three families - one by his wife and two more by long-term mistresses (including Nathaniel's mother). I got the sense that his obsession with his work was all-consuming, hence both his mistresses worked in the field. He said that a good idea that doesn't happen is no idea at all, but many of his own good ideas were never realised.

While not the primary focus, there's a thread of art vs craft woven through the film. I'm reminded of another documentary I saw about the battle over the design of the old World Trade Center site - a visionary, if impractical artist pitted against a pragmatic, if stolid craftsman.

Worth a look even if, like me, you're not interested in architecture or father/son stories.