I can remember seeing Kent Twitchell at night painting on that Ed Ruscha mural during the early 80s. It was like a performance piece with the results being a great work of public art that graced our city for 20 years. It became more important to us each year. It turned into an icon and a landmark. the way the figure was placed on that wall was sublime. The browns and reds were classic. The shadow made him look like a real giant standing there above the cars. The fact that the wall had no lettering was a breathtaking oasis. It was art and everyone knew it. I get mad just thinking about this. What's the point of trying, if Kent Twitchell can spend all that time, thinking that the people would appreciate his labor of love, and then to see what we have allowed to happen. Do we have the capacity to value anything except money?
This is just one of numerous quotes that were sent to the Fresco School's faculty member , Kent Twitchell, a muralist of Giant Proportion (figuratively and literally) to express support and community outrage towards the illegal destruction of the 9 story tall Ed Ruscha Monument.
Joey Krebs, founder ART SAVES LIVES, has compiled list of over 40 references demonstrating Public and Media outrage towards this despicable action:
ART SAVES LIVES has a history of promoting and supporting art that is meaningful to people's lives. One such work of art stands 6 stories tall in the middle of downtown Los Angeles and was painted 20 years ago by a member of your faculty, Kent Twitchell.
It is called "Ed Ruscha Monument" and has been generally recognized as a modern masterpiece.
Twitchell worked mostly at night in his spare time painting this giant figure from 1978 to 1987. He used mostly a #6 watercolor brush and had no assistants. The detail is amazing.
On June 2, 2005 at 5:30 AM, this giant portrait was illegally painted over. So far no one has admitted to ordering the painting destroyed. Please read the following articles from the Los Angeles Times.
http://www.latimes.com/
I have counted over 40 blogs from around the country reporting this senseless act. Most people are dumbfounded.
I suggest that your vast readership be encouraged to respond to either of the stories in the LA Times by e-mailing letters-to-the-editor. This effects all of us who work in public.
We must ensure that this act, by some agency in Washington DC, is not allowed to become a permanent policy of America toward its art.
Sincerely,
Joey Krebs, founder ART SAVES LIVES
We ask for your support!
Please email your thoughts and comments to LA TIMES directly by sending it to:
letters@latimes.com
They will need all the info starting with SUBJECT, then the letter, then their full name, their e-mail address, daytime phone number, street address, city, state and zipcode.
TrueFresco Art Network & Fresco School
