Critics often treat themes as if they were some perverse addition laid over authentic places. But openness to being themed is inherent in the very conditions that make an area a place.

• Any place must have a social grammar, and grammar can be extended to cover details of decor and behavior.

• Any place will have some degree of self-presentation.

• Any place will present its unity as a field for action.

• No place's meaning is purely internal.

• So all places are open to being themed.

Index
Themed places outline

(c) David Kolb, 1 August 2001