THE BLUES PROJECT

How ironic that in an issue condemning the pilfering of Eastern Europe of its artifacts (“The Sacking,” by Jonathan Kandell, Aug. 14) you proudly parade photographs of Isaac Tigrett’s House of Blues and make reference to the artifacts adorning its interior. No matter how honorably Tigrett came into possession of his booty, he has nevertheless contributed to the stripping of the historical and artistic heritage of a culture. The greed of selfish and ego-driven collectors has created a lucrative market for pilfered artifacts. Perhaps we will soon see some of the stolen saints, Madonnas, chalices, gold crucifixes and brass candlesticks adorning the interior of a stateside nightclub.

Your cover photo says it all.

R. SCOTT KEIRN

Beverly Hills

The photographs by Dario Preger in the House of Blues design feature (“Out of the Blues,” Style, by Barbara Thornburg, Aug. 14) were breathtaking--the colors, the lighting, everything. We’d just been there but hadn’t seen it through such artistic eyes. Now I want to go back again.

HARRIET OHLBERG

Northridge

Thornburg sees fit to tout the attractions of a nightclub and eating joint associated with an organization called the International House of Blues Foundation, “a nonprofit educational network that teaches history through art and music.”

One photograph shows a coffee table decorated with a statue of “Buddha Touching the Earth,” the most sacred statue in the Buddhist world. Other Buddha statues serve as an accompaniment to a reading lamp and a decoration to a private lounge. Also misused is a statue of Ganesh, a principal and revered member of the Hindu pantheon.

What sort of international education organization could be associated with such blatant insults to two of the world’s major religions? I can hardly imagine that statues of Christ or the Virgin Mary would be so mistreated.

GORDON FREDERICK STEWART-ELLENS

Santa Monica