Angel Monument

I have often thought that this City of Angels would be well served by a monument depicting some form of guardian angel that would look down on L.A. It would offer protection while inspiring spirituality and a sense of common bond to our varied millions. I always imagined it to be somewhere high in the Hollywood Hills. I find the proposal by developer Gary Clayman (Jan. 8) for a towering monument near downtown far more exciting. As L.A. matures into the next millennium, wouldn’t it be nice if the world were able to conjure up imagery beyond the Hollywood sign and babes in bikinis?

PHILIP HINDENACH

West Hollywood

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In L.A. there are approximately 100,000 homeless people. That this obscene monument to conspicuous consumption is even being considered is a travesty. Clayman and Brett-Livingstone Strong should be denied permits to build. Why not spend the money on a center for the homeless with living quarters, a free clinic and companies that would hire the unemployed? It might take longer to realize a profit, but perhaps the city, county, state or federal governments or a private foundation might consider investing in such a project.

JOYCE PERRY

Los Angeles

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I love the idea that finally L.A. will have its own New Year’s Eve monument to gather around, just as New York has Times Square and Paris has the Eiffel Tower. I do believe it will generate a lot of business for the area. What I don’t like is the sword in the angel’s hands; it denotes violence. So please, how about a star in the angel’s hands? I think that would be more appropriate.

ROSALEEN RICKERBY

Glendale

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I believe the plan represents a serious assault upon our visual environment, not only because it is destined to become an ostentatious eyesore but because it also presents us with an unfortunate message. In this era when there are minority factions within many religions who perpetrate violence and hatred due to their misapplication and faulty reading of the texts of their faith, the glorification of a symbol like that of an angel wielding a sword seems exceptionally irresponsible. If our symbols mean nothing, why use them at all?

EDWARD WEST

Northridge

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This is not just a box-shaped building placed on a lot. It’s as if the building itself has sprung from the depths of the Earth, twisting and turning its way upward. As if the city’s soul was breaking out, reaching for hope, and hope comes down in the form of an angel with her sword ready to defend the souls of Los Angeles. L.A. is a city of diverse souls all seeking hope in the American Dream. People of imagination, creativity and ever-changing spirit looking toward the future. What a building to showcase that vision. This building will say to the world that L.A. does not see doom in the next century, but promise, to move forward in its celebration in its diversity of both man and structure. I would love to work in that building and be one of the first to reach the top!

STEPHEN MONTEZ

South El Monte