Or maybe it's the willingness of the city's Department of Cultural Affairs to get involved as a sponsor. While a hundred or so Los Angeles writers, artists and speakers — including Mayor Villaraigosa — are still whooping it up in Guadalajara, word comes via release that L.A. will also be the guest of honor at ARCOMadrid in February. Some 50+ artists will be represented in Spain, among them David Hockney, John Baldessari and Edward Kienholz. Seventeen local galleries will take part in Panorama: Los Angeles.

Noted: Not a single tweet from the mayor (or Lu Parker) during this trip, unlike his trips to Iceland and Africa.

Blogged: Daniel Hernandez takes in the Ozomatli show in Guadalajara.

Photo: ARCOMadrid website