Controversy Swirls Over ‘Steel Cloud’

The pretentious deconstructivist nightmare known as “Steel Cloud” has no place as the symbol of Los Angeles.

Aside from the work’s profound aesthetic shortcomings, it fails to fulfill its primary objective--to serve as a symbol. If artist Hani Rashid’s work is meant to symbolize anything other than his predilection with a soon-to-be-outdated, and quintessentially ‘80s art form known as multimedia, then its meaning is beyond me.

Good art need not be explained. Art is that which can be perceived as art, but art of any significance has a beauty of form or function, or both, that is readily apparent to all. Artist Rashid’s work fails miserably on both counts.

A symbol must be simple to be effective as a symbol. Numerous forms could serve as a suitable symbol to our diverse city. No money should be spent on the tangle of steel the city is considering at present.

I personally like monumental architecture, but only if it is well done. I support the city’s efforts to construct a symbol for our city.

My suggestion is for a great ring which faces west to the sea, and stands on a tall pedestal. The whole piece could be of a light-colored textured concrete, and aligned to frame the setting sun over the Pacific, say on Dec. 21, the winter solstice. The ring can symbolize the Pacific Rim, as well as sun, as well as the cycle of life and any other theme you may care to name.

JEFFREY R. SOFTLEY

Los Angeles