“I remember my mother taking me to see the Picasso show in the 1940s, a...” — Richard Rogers Quote

I remember my mother taking me to see the Picasso show in the 1940s, and I was impressed by the life and vibrancy of it all. It was a bit too avant-garde for most Londoners at the time, but since then, the city has become a centre for modern culture.

I believe very strongly, and have fought since many years ago - at least over 30 years ago - to get architecture not just within schools, but architecture talked about under history, geography, science, technology, art.

In Florence, classical buildings sit against medieval buildings. It's that contrast we like.

You have to modernise; you have to change - you can't just be traditional for the fun of being traditional.

I like things that are avant-garde, but at the same time I can also go downtown edgy.

I felt more connected to Gabrielle Chanel's story than I expected to. Her avant-garde leanings, her eclectic background, what a modern free-thinking woman she was.

Avant-garde music is sort of research music. You're glad someone's done it but you don't necessarily want to listen to it.

My dad was this sort of avant-garde guy who did all kinds of weird things. He was a true original and anybody who met him never forgot him.

I like fantasy. I like horror, science fiction because I can get avant-garde with those performances in those movies.