Does L.A. Need a Statue of Responsibility?

The Statue of Responsibility--a proposed counterbalance to New York’s Statue of Liberty--has no design or even a location, and exists most clearly in the mind of Beverly Hills publicist Michael Levine.

However, Levine insists that such a symbol is imperative for the Los Angeles region, an icon that would remind the country of the sacrifices needed to remain free. He has suggested having it built in the harbor as a welcome to newcomers to the city.

Several officials, celebrities and community leaders have signed on to support the creation of a monument to underscore the theme that without responsibility there cannot be liberty.

What is the value of a Statue of Responsibility for Los Angeles?

Louise Lewis, professor of art history and director of the art gallery at Cal State Northridge:

“The issue is well taken. You can’t have liberty without responsibility. . . . [But] I guess I’m being rather neutral at this point. . . . If done in the right way, it could be a good idea. It’s not quite as catchy as the Statue of Liberty. . . . How do you translate a concept into an image? . . . . . . I think we take on a great deal of responsibility here [in L.A.]. . . . I’m hoping that whatever is done with this thing really does capture the imagination.”

Michael Levine, Beverly Hills publicist and chief proponent of the Statue of Responsibility:

“For about 30 years, we have moved away from what had been fairly historical normative thinking, which is you can’t have liberty without responsibility. . . . My theory is liberty is like a seesaw, you need both sides to make it work. . . . You should understand, for example, that connected with the gift of liberty is the responsibility to learn a language. What I am saying is that we live in a country that doesn’t demand responsibility of anyone. Immigrants are not more responsible than anyone else. .. . . In my opinion it is better to have it on the West Coast because it offers that perfect geographic balance.

Nick Patsaouras, Metropolitan Transportation Authority board member who had been a fund-raiser for the failed Gateway Monument:

“People creating ideas to design something and say this is it--the Statue of Liberty or Responsibility or whatever--I think is a dangerous course to take because I don’t think one individual mind could dictate to the public a structure. . . . Ideas are different. Ideas can be debated, but to say, ‘This is it,’ I think is difficult. I came to that conclusion when I was involved with the [Gateway Monument/Steel Cloud project]. . . . You don’t create the landmark so that people come to it. The landmark is created by the people.”

Louis Naidorf, dean of the school of architecture and design at Woodbury University, Burbank:

“I believe that people need visible symbols, and I think Los Angeles has always had a need to pull its various communities together. In that sense, something like a statue could be helpful. People need icons and identifiable things in the same way we need a symphony orchestra and a baseball team. . . . It would have to be something of true architectural merit, and that’s going to be something that will be the greatest debate of all.”

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