Graham’s Goddess

Evidently the fountain forming the base of Robert Graham’s bronze “Source Figure” was not alone in providing gushing sounds (“A Goddess for L.A.?,” July 7).

This poor statue stands lost against the vast negative space of upper Hope Street--and, worse, disappears against the cluttered cityscape extending south from 5th Street. As a three-dimensional piece, the goddess is unfortunately no divine figure when viewed au derriere .

Graham’s artistry is indeed evident in his ability to work a lovely symmetry with bronze and water to create beautifully artistic pedestals. But women know that these are not silhouettes to which they can relate. Any man will tell you that Graham’s women, which resemble expressionless kouroi with primary female sexual characteristics prominently added, are not women.

Graham’s figures are neither masculine nor feminine but rather humanoids whose purpose, like the finial above a lampshade, is to complete his splendidly artistic pedestal / fountains. Thus, his work is really about architecture in miniature. It disdains human form and says nothing to the human soul. William Wilson’s got his subject dead wrong.

JOHN D. MOORE JR.

Los Angeles