Viewing page 11 of 87

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

March 29, 1976

Sheila Hicks
30, rue Dauphine
Paris 75006

Dear Sheila:

Now that I am back from Brazil, let me explain my cryptic postcard. First of all, Brasilia revisited is a fascinating and serious experiment, which in eight years has grown so vastly that I can only hope that they are ready for the expansion of the next five. One could have endless discussions on the negative side, as well as the positive, but I'm not forgetting that Washington, D.C. began as a muddy village.

Ralph and I hastened to Casa Jefferson, mostly of course to see the Hicks in place. Alas, no Hicks was visible, and finally I sought out the young woman who is the director-a bright straightforward gal-and she told me that it is still in its package, has never been unpacked, is in storage, and that there is no way in which it can be shown in that building.

It really was a shock. The building is possibly one of the most dreadfully designed pieces of work that I have seen by a responsible architect who understood neither the climate of Brasilia, the needs of this building which is really part school, part library and part reception center. Aside from the leaks and cracks there really is not one place where this might have been shown. I think that you should write to Michael Rubinstein asking that they return the piece to you pre-paid directly from Brasilia. You may quote me and you may quote Linda A. Buggeln, Director of the Casa Thomas Jefferson, c/o the American Embassy, Brasilia, Brazil.  If nothing else, at least you can recycle the material, but I must confess I was shocked at the architectural monster.

I have been receiving news of you from Robin, from Frederick, and now hopefully this letter will elicit a reply to me. I understand that you will be coming toward the end of May. Wonderful. Try to let me know when, so that we might set aside time for work and play.