Picking Politically Correct Public Artists

As one of the 221 applicants not selected for the Union Station Gateway Plaza commissions, I will eat my sour grapes more smugly knowing that Christopher Knight considers the chosen projects “mostly mediocre” (“Union Plaza: An Art Ticket to Nowhere,” Nov. 27).

What is particularly curious is how, in the current climate of multiculturalism, teams made up of mostly politically correct ethnic artists, designers and architects are now the preferred way to go. It is interesting that an out-of-favor white male is also on the team, having figured out the ploy needed for selection.

That the selection process for public commissions in Los Angeles is in the stranglehold of a few “art consultants” is well known to artists who must submit applications to the same few sources. Perhaps a mediocre selection process leads to a mediocre selection. Congratulations to Knight for an excellent commentary.

LILI LAKICH, Los Angeles