Davidson On Disney: Populism Meeting Glitter

Justin Davidson is duly impressed with the L.A. Philharmonic’s new Gehry-designed digs: “It is a building made of visual metaphors: It blooms among the architectural crabgrass of downtown L.A… The hall is a come-on to the city on the part of a high-art establishment that feels miniaturized by the pop-culture machine. Like a maestro going to the supermarket, Disney Hall balances glamour with populism. It is a complex space, yet a straightforwardly spectacular one, too. It flaunts its impeccable sheen, yet invites visitors to touch. People have done so, and unless the maintenance crew proves overzealous, one of the more unexpected features will be the shadow of hands on steel.”