HOUSEBOUND

I live in Mount Washington and have been walking by the structure referred to in your article as Jorge Pardo’s “functional artwork” (“Welcome to the House That Jorge Built,” by Hunter Drohojowska-Philp, Oct. 11).

What Pardo has done is taken a beautiful lot with 360-degree views and built a fortress with almost no exterior windows. With the exception of a 10-foot space between the compound-like buildings, there is no view.

I like the building. Don’t get me wrong. The interior levels are interesting. They will probably make wonderful show space for Pardo’s internationally acclaimed artworks. But I laughed out loud when I read he was trying to “maximize something pastoral.” My understanding of “pastoral” is depicting rural life and by implication a feeling of love for nature. Well, there’s no nature there.

To quote Pardo, “Generally speaking . . . most artists are not good architects.” Well, this building proves that. It is not a thing of beauty, of art. Pardo has built himself a big wooden box.

CATHY A. REECE

Los Angeles