Gehry's 'jewel' greeted with anger from the poor [View All]

[dArKeR]

t has been hailed as a cultural and architectural jewel, nicknamed the "sparkling artichoke" but also portrayed as a symbol of the vast gap between the city's rich and poor.

Today the $276m Walt Disney Concert Hall will open to the sound of superlatives from architectural critics and carrying with it the hopes of a city that has often been accused of lacking a heart.

The concert hall is the latest work of the Canadian-born architect Frank Gehry, perhaps best known for designing the Guggenheim in Bilbao, but none of his projects have carried quite the same financial and civic burdens as the new hall. Commissioned 15 years ago, it has had to overcome many obstacles on the way to tonight's gala opening.

The 2 265-seat hall, now housed inside the sweeping stainless steel exterior, was originally financed and conceived in 1987 by Walt Disney's widow, Lillian, who donated $50-million to create it.

Callaghan, a veteran campaigner for the homeless, said the police had told her they intended to remove all the homeless from the streets by Christmas. She said she and others would be protesting as guests arrived. Their banners would be on the theme of: "For the rich -- over-abundant opulence, for the poor -- the boot." - Guardian Unlimited © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2003

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