L.A. Angel Monument

Re “Angel Tower,” letters, June 24: Brett-Livingstone Strong could very well be the most visionary artist at the turn of this century. His achievements go far beyond his mammoth bust of John Wayne. Strong unveiled his seven-ton “Bicentennial of the Constitution” monument as a gift to our country in front of Independence Hall in 1987. He also created in bronze and marble the monument celebrating 25 years of friendship with Los Angeles’ sister city Nagoya, Japan.

Strong’s designs and plans for the “City of Angels” monument and complex reach far beyond what any other creative minds have produced as a beacon for L.A. thus far. I’m not necessarily in love with the sword, but overall this is an incredibly beautiful and useful project. It will bring a tremendous amount of commerce, beauty and creative energy to the area.

DONALD BERRY

Lake Arrowhead

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Perhaps this is a minor point, but it should be noted that Los Angeles is not really the City of Angels. Raymond Chandler gave L.A. that nickname in the 1940s. But the Spanish settlers who founded our community in 1781 gave it the name El Pueblo de Nuestra Senora la Reina de Los Angeles--the Town of Our Lady, Queen of the Angels. A historically correct monument would note that fact, or at the very least, include a mention of Chandler.

RHYS THOMAS

Van Nuys

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I got excited when I saw the picture of the angel tower and the surrounding complex. Finally a film crew could do an aerial shot of L.A. and not have to shoot the Hollywood sign or the Bonaventure to make our undistinguishable city recognizable.

Seems like when architects design urban buildings they get a thrill from great blank walls of concrete or odd pieces of metal--both of which are heartbreaking. Here’s something with humor and pizazz. I say hooray.

One quibble: Somehow when I think of the City of Angels, I didn’t picture those angels armed. It would be great if the angel could be made a little taller (to get the requisite height to beat out other national symbols and give us bragging rights) and just have upstretched arms.

MAGGIE OGILVIE

Sierra Madre