Govan suggested that cultural institutions such as LACMA have become more daringly international and adventurous by embracing rather than downplaying their local identity.
"Twenty years ago, L.A.'s cultural institutions were quite conservative," he said. LACMA's original buildings were "anonymous," Govan added, and the museum is now "making a conscious effort" to recognize its L.A. identity by adding artistic touches like Robert Irwin's palm trees and Chris Burden's street lamp installation.
Who will take the role of arts leadership in the decades to come? The panelists acknowledged the challenges in trying to collaborate or even meet regularly with other local arts entities. As Ritchie pointed out, "it took 40 e-mails" just to arrange this discussion.
Toward the end of the meeting, these various strands of thought coalesced around the idea of an arts festival, proposed by Domingo. He suggested a two-week or monthlong event, possibly connected to L.A. Opera's production of Wagner's "Ring" cycle in 2010, with "special exhibitions, whatever could be done, with the Philharmonic, with the opera," as well as family-oriented recreational activities.
The idea was well received.
"The issue is, we need to plan for that," Borda said. "But this is very good. Maybe this will be the excuse that brings us together."
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reed.johnson@latimes.com
