Frank Gehry complains that Los Angeles is unappreciative of his talent ("Inside the Mind of Frank Gehry," by Nicolai Ouroussoff, Oct. 25). As a Brit who has lived, worked in and loved this city for 30 years, I've often wondered why Angelenos seem reluctant to recognize and honor their own.
Too frequently Angelenos have focused their eyes eastward, toward what they believe must be a brighter shining star. While many have hastened to the new Getty Center to marvel at the translucent quality of its marble, I'll bet that when Disney Hall is finally built, it will be the defining building of this city. Hopefully, it will do for Los Angeles what Gehry's Guggenheim Museum building did for Bilbao, Spain.
Eyes around the world are now focused on the West. If Gehry holds on a bit longer, his day of appreciation will surely come.
Jo Ann Burton
Los Angeles
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In the '70s and '80s, I owned and operated the Santa Monica restaurant Le Saint Michel. My regular customers included Gehry and Sam Francis.
