Zaha Hadid — On Childhood: “When I was growing up, mathematics was an everyday part of life — as well as drawing, or listening to music. My parents instilled in me a passion for discovery, and they never made a distinction between science and creativity. We would play with math problems just as we would play with pens and paper to draw; math was like sketching.”
Zaha Hadid in front of the Trevi Fountain, Rome, photo family archives, copyright Zaha Hadid.
Today: “I remember thinking that the Great Mosque of Cordoba was the most stunning space! Of course, there are lots of other truly great spaces — but this building left a tremendous impression on me. It has a dark interior, but then there is the extraordinary white marble inside the space — it’s like the modern hybrid projects we build today.”On Childhood: “I grew up across the road from the church, and as a child I attended weddings, uninvited. Every single wedding! When the bride appeared, I just couldn’t believe it! That was my whole perception of fashion.”Today: “Hats have gone from being an accessory of conformity to being an accessory of rebellion. The most potent part of the body to decorate is the head, because you meet somebody’s face. People from all walks of life are intrigued; every culture has a history of hats and headdresses.”Today: “We must realistically say, ‘Life is changing and it’s not all bad,’ and embrace the changes. This could indeed be advantageous for creativity and might lead to a rejuvenation of art movements.”
