28 Mar Celebrating Art, Architecture, and Ideas: Frank Gehry + Robert Tannen at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum

In July 2024, AOS proudly sponsored Art, Architecture, and Ideas: Frank Gehry and Robert Tannen at the Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art in Biloxi, Mississippi. This compelling exhibition brought together over five decades of work from two visionaries—world-renowned architect Frank Gehry and multidisciplinary artist and urban planner Robert Tannen—highlighting their lasting impact on the Gulf Coast and beyond. Through an extensive collection of models, sculptures, paintings, and conceptual works, the exhibition offered an intimate look at their creative processes and enduring influence.

At the heart of Art, Architecture, and Ideas was the deep creative relationship between Gehry and Tannen, whose collaborations span nearly 50 years. Long before Gehry became a global icon for projects like the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, Spain, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California, their friendship began in New Orleans in the 1970s when Gehry was designing a small stage for Lafayette Park and Tannen was working for the New Orleans Mayor’s office. While the project never came to fruition, it solidified their mutual respect and set the foundation for future collaborations.

A decade later, Tannen saw another opportunity to bring Gehry’s groundbreaking work to the Gulf Coast. As part of the 1984 Louisiana World Exposition, Gehry was selected to design a riverfront amphitheater. However, budget constraints forced the project to be heavily revised, stripping away much of his original vision. After the fair, the amphitheater was demolished, erasing what could have been Gehry’s first permanent structure in New Orleans. However, Tannen, whose urban planning efforts helped shape the city’s Warehouse District and the second span of the Mississippi River Bridge, continued to advocate for Gehry’s presence in the region.

Tannen and his wife Jeanne Nathan’s persistence eventually paid off. Recognizing the synergy between George Ohr, the eccentric “Mad Potter of Biloxi” known for his experimental ceramics, and Gehry’s sculptural architectural style, Tannen championed him as the ideal architect for the museum when he was on the fundraising team. OOMA is Gehry’s only museum in the Southeast, a striking composition of fragmented, pod-like structures that appear to “dance” among the site’s massive live oaks along with a few other galleries and buildings on the campus. The museum embodies the rebellious spirit of Ohr himself, embracing fluidity, innovation, and resilience.

Like Ohr’s unconventional artistry, the museum’s journey has been anything but ordinary. OOMA’s construction faced significant setbacks, including funding, zoning, and damage from Hurricane Katrina when a casino barge crashed into one of its buildings when it was under construction. Yet, after nearly two decades of challenges and determination, the museum is now nearing completion. In April 2025, its final phase will be realized, fulfilling Gehry’s original vision and cementing the museum’s role as a cultural landmark on the Gulf Coast.

To further engage our design community, AOS hosted a special day trip for architects and interior designers from across southeast Louisiana to experience this inspiring exhibition firsthand. Guests were treated to a private tour of the museum, an intimate lunch, and a thought-provoking discussion led by the museum’s Executive Director, David Houston, along with Jeanne Nathan, Tannen’s wife and longtime collaborator. This exclusive event provided a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of art, architecture, and urban planning while celebrating the creative forces that continue to shape our built environment.

As the museum prepares to celebrate its long-awaited completion in April 2025, Art, Architecture, and Ideas served as a powerful prelude to the momentous occasion. By honoring the legacies of Frank Gehry and Robert Tannen, the exhibition reinforced the museum’s role as a beacon of artistic and architectural innovation in the region, encouraging the creative spirit for generations to come.

Learn More about AOS’ Community Impact Report

This story is part of AOS Interior Environments’ 2024 Community Impact Report. From cultural engagement to educational support, we’re proud to contribute to the communities we serve across Louisiana and Mississippi.

Want to see more of the meaningful ways we’re making a difference? Click here to read our most recent Community Impact Report and learn how AOS is helping build stronger, more resilient region through design, partnership, and purpose.