“In San Francisco, vulgarity, ‘bad taste,’ ostentation are regarded as a kind of alien blight, an invasion or encroachment from outside. In Los Angeles, there is so much money and power connected with ostentation that it is no longer ludicrous: it commands a kind of respect. For if the mighty behave like this, then quiet good taste means that you can’t afford the conspicuous expenditures, and you become a little ashamed of your modesty and propriety.”
Pauline Kael, I Lost It at the Movies
Terry Teachout on the arts in New York City
An ArtsJournal Blog