By Marty Baker

Gil Garcetti is the author of this fascinating book Iron: Erecting the Walt Disney Concert Hall. You might best remember Mr. Garcetti as the former District Attorney for Los Angeles County who prosecuted such cases as the Menendez brothers and O.J. Simpson. In eight years as the District Attorney, and of more than a quarter million cases filed every year, Mr. Garcetti's office achieved a 92% conviction rate.

Photography has long been a passion for Gil and the “daredevil ironworker” crawling on a beam, 110 feet above the ground, caught his eye one day as he drove by a construction site. He obtained permissions and spent the better part of the next two years at that site creating a visual portrayal of the ironworkers as they went about their seemingly routine tasks.

Workers were constructing the Walt Disney Concert Hall, a graceful building designed by Frank O. Gehry, which is Lillian Disney’s “gift to Los Angeles.” In Gehry’s foreword to the book, he states, “The individuals responsible for creating it are a set of highly skilled men and women whose work required both physical and mental stamina. In the face of personal risk and grueling schedules, the ironworkers’ contribution to architecture and, on a grander scale, the development of cities, is admirable.”

Garcetti’s captivating photographs throughout the book bring the massive construction project to life. The quotations, which are included from the many workers on the site, display tremendous pride.

Sue Egberts, an ironworker for “15 wonderful years” proudly says, “I pull my own weight. I carry my own stuff. This project has been so neat. It is so unique. The architecture, the weld joints were incredibly challenging. I am so proud to be part of this landmark.”

Joe Martinez Jr., an ironworker/welder for 13 years, says, “My welding and the design of the building is what is going to keep this building together in an earthquake. I want a challenge in my work and this job sure gave it to me.”

On this construction site, every weld is inspected and must pass ultrasound testing. Dave Lippencott, a weld inspector admired the work, “The union [Ironworkers Local 433] has given us their best. I rarely find an objectionable weld.” Less than .01% of all welds were rejected.

The publisher’s note states, “Gil Garcetti, in creating this book, has literally donned the welder’s mask and come as close to becoming an ironworker as an attorney can get. He has ridden hoists, strapped on the safety, taken apprenticeship classes, welded steel, and spent hundreds of hours interviewing individuals involved in the design and construction of the building from patrons to broom pushers.”
The son of Mexican immigrants, Mr. Garcetti was born and raised in South Central Los Angeles and graduated from the University of Southern California, the London School of Economics, and received his J.D. degree from UCLA in 1967. Gil Garcetti has been married for 38 years to Sukey and they have a son, Eric and a daughter, Dana.

This intriguing book will instill pride in the hearts of welders everywhere. Royalties from the book go to the Ironworkers Scholarship Fund. For copies, contact your local bookseller or Balcony Press, 512 E. Wilson, Suite 213, Glendale, CA 91206. www.balconypress.com
Phone: (818) 956-5313.
Iron by Gil Garcetti. © 2002. ISBN: 1-890449-15-6.
Soft cover: $30 plus shipping and handling
Hard cover (limited quantity): $42 plus shipping and handling