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I.M. Pei and Mrs. Jacqueline Kennedy
I don't know why we think that a designer must keep a distinct personal characteristic. It seems that a designer is not a good designer if he doesn't tear a few hands from Party A..

Some people think I.M. Pei is very tactful, but as a designer, isn't it the best experience to communicate with Party A in a gentler and more comfortable way and get Party A's approval? "Architects serve customers, and the design that can solve problems best is the best design. Architects should not only consider the owner's project as their own feelings. " This is I.M. Pei's bland answer.

Over the past 70 years, Master Bei's excellent works have spread all over the world, and he is known as "the last master of modern architecture". Although I.M. Pei encountered many embarrassments in her life. But his good relationship with all Party A and his ability to get the project with wisdom are very admirable.

For example, he was appreciated by Jacqueline Kennedy's wife, which made the Kennedy Presidential Library famous and became Jacqueline's good friend. This kind of wisdom and emotional intelligence is incomparable to ordinary people. Some people think that this is related to the merchant atmosphere of his huge aristocratic family. Maybe this can be called business emotional intelligence.

1964 The assassination of President Kennedy caused national mourning, and the Kennedy Library became the most important project to commemorate the President.

Miss Van der Rohe, Louis Kahn and I.M. Pei were recommended to Mrs. Jacqueline. Compared with the two predecessors, I.M. Pei is young, famous and has no representative works.

Jacqueline visited Miss's company first. Miss is arrogant and indifferent, and shows no strong interest. Jacqueline is not satisfied with the young lady. In Louis Kahn, Jacqueline didn't find a satisfactory answer. They have some difficulties in communication. Because of louis kahn's untidiness, Jacqueline finds it hard to be trusted.

I.m. Pei is very eager to get this opportunity. In order to get this project, he made full preparations.

He studied Jacqueline's preferences and rearranged his architectural office, from the placement of tables and chairs, to the display of goods, to the placement of flowers, all according to Jacqueline's preferences. Not only that, in order to welcome Jacqueline, I.M. Pei dressed herself up and acted like a gentleman.

"That day, I put a big bunch of flowers in the reception room in advance. She saw it as soon as she came in and asked happily, "Do you often put such beautiful flowers?" "To tell you the truth, I bought it for her. I told her that it was too early to say what would happen to the library. I.M. Pei recalled the process.

Obviously, the conversation was pleasant. Even so, he was not completely sure, and then he went out on holiday with his family.

"I remember that our family was on holiday in Italy, and there was no telephone where I lived. I received a telegram from my office asking me to answer a phone call at a certain time and place. That's a coffee shop. I got there at the appointed time. The telephone rang. I picked up the receiver. Mrs. Kennedy's advisor. He said I was chosen. He said that the president's wife felt that she had a tacit understanding with me, wanted to participate in this work, and hoped to become a working partner with me. " Recalling the scene at that time, I.M. Pei still remembers it vividly.

Some people say that the choice of I.M. Pei is related to his study and life experience in Boston. The media said: when meeting with Mrs. Kennedy, several architects who were short-listed in the primary election explained how they wanted to design. It was Pei's turn, but he said that he couldn't give any concepts or opinions until he had surveyed the scene. Presumably, I.M. Pei's design concept that the site and environment should be the preconditions of architecture moved Mrs. Kennedy.

Mrs. Jacqueline said, "This is a very emotional decision ... I think Pan An's idea is completely correct. When you let go of the reins, he is like a keen hunting dog, and can detect many things that others can't. I don't care if he has excellent designs before, but I believe his talent now. I listed all rational reasons and told myself to choose Yu Ming's design, but in fact, my decision was very emotional. He is full of confidence, which reminds me of Jack. They were born in the same year. I decided to take a bold step with him. "

This bold step made I.M. Pei. From 65438 to 0964, I.M. Pei was 47. Because of the Kennedy Library, he became a famous American architect. Miss was 78 years old this year, and he died five years later. Kang was 63 years old and died 10 years later.

However, this project took 15 years.

After the first draft came out, it was opposed by Boston residents wave after wave. People think that this building will destroy the local community style. Boston,/kloc-more than 0/00 universities, are very strict, and I.M. Pei has encountered hard work. Lu Ailing recalled: "From the way he went home to open the door every night, I could know how tired he was ... He dragged his feet, and so many people opposed his construction, which made him feel very uncomfortable."

Opposition led to the change of the location of the library again and again. The original address of Harvard University was rejected, and finally the new address was confirmed in Boston Beach, which used to be a garbage dump. I.M. Pei has to spend a lot of time dealing with environmental problems.

"I want to do something unique to commemorate President Kennedy," he said. "This should have been a great work." At that time, his enthusiasm was consumed by this project.

If we go back to the beginning: "Mrs. Kennedy came to my office that day, and I told her,' I don't have the symphony hall or the design of Lincoln Art Center, and my idea is monotonous, that is, the slum cleaning project.' Jacqueline didn't say much, but she asked me what I had done and kept asking, "Why? Why? Why? " Maybe I.M. Pei has always wanted to answer why Jacqueline did this.

Jacqueline needed to be busy then. After Kennedy's assassination, she experienced a short period of grief and concentrated on the construction of the library. After the architectural style and location of the library were determined, Jacqueline toured 25 cities across the country to tell people what the library would show. She also actively raised funds for the library and personally wrote to thank individuals who donated more than $65,438+0,000.

This is the brave cooperation of two brave people.

1979, the Kennedy Library was finally built. This is a modern building with superb technology, novel design, clear black and white and pure geometry. This building is considered as the best masterpiece of American architecture, so this year was defined as "I.M. Pei Year" by the architectural circles, and I.M. Pei also won the gold medal of the American Architectural Society that year.

Most importantly, Jacqueline became his good friend.

The high exposure of Kennedy Library not only made I.M. Pei famous, but also brought more entrustment to I.M. Pei.

Subsequently, he accepted the design commission of the East Pavilion of the National Gallery of America. This is a more complex and challenging design committee. I.m. Pei did a great job. Until now, people are still curious about the sharp corners of the National Gallery.

1978, the East Pavilion of the National Art Museum was completed. At the opening ceremony, then US President Carter said, "It is not only a harmonious and comprehensive part of Washington, but also a symbol of the increasing connection between public life and artistic interest" and called I.M. Pei "a rare outstanding architect".

1979, Jimmy Carter, then president of the United States, and members of the Kennedy family unveiled the museum together.

I.M. Pei once said, "The most beautiful buildings should be built on time, and time will give all the answers." So is friendship.