The commission that selected famed architect Frank Gehry to design the Eisenhower Memorial defended Gehry on Tuesday in a public statement. Gehry’s design has been criticized by the Eisenhower family for its focus on the president and World War II general’s boyhood in Kansas.
The commissioners called Gehry a “loyal soldier” in the effort to create a design properly honoring the 34th president. The controversy surrounding the design began growing after presidential grandson David Eisenhower resigned from the commission in December.
Last week, a Congressional subcommittee held a hearing on the design and the family’s request to have Gehry go back to the drawing board.
Here is the full statement:
The members of the Eisenhower Memorial Commission are unanimous in their total and unqualified support for Frank Gehry and his vision for the memorial that will commemorate Dwight David Eisenhower in his roles as both a Supreme Allied Commander during World War II and 34th President of the United States of America.
Frank Gehry has followed the direction provided to him by this commission. He has also consulted with the Eisenhower Family. His design for the Memorial is exciting, creative and inspiring. It captures the life and the spirit – and commemorates the historic achievements – of Dwight Eisenhower as one of the greatest generals in human history and one of our finest presidents.
We are fortunate that the most celebrated architect in the world competed for this project. Frank Gehry has been a loyal soldier in our effort. We confirm our selection of him, confirm our enthusiastic endorsement of his design concept, and express our regret and sadness at the tone and nature of the selected comments that have been made on Mr. Gehry’s design
for the memorial. Mr. Gehry has consistently expressed his openness to working with the family. We are open and supportive of this effort and look forward to building consensus and moving forward with the memorial. We have great respect for the views of the family in this process and the Commission will work to address the outstanding issues that remain.
As Eisenhower himself said, “For our republic to stay free those among us with the rare gift of artistry must be able to freely use their talent.”
