May 2008 Archives

David Hockney made a mural at the bottom of the pool of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel that graced the guests as they were enjoying the wonderful outdoor climate, swimming, and gazing out at the water. The mural became known throughout the town and many tourists would come to the hotel just to see the enormous pattern of blue gestural curves that had a strong visual impact from any vantage point. There was always a possibility to catch a glimpse of a Hollywood "A- lister" enjoying the comfortable environment along with the guests.

Over time, the paint has been deteriorated by the chemicals of the water and the constant contact of the guests rubbing up against the floor and walls. The vibrant blue marks went from being the focal point of the view to being minor stains at the bottom of the pool. They just made the pool look dirty and took away from the vibrancy of the water.

The artists of iLia Anossov Design (iLAdesigns.com) have become the saviors of many historical murals all around Los Angeles. Amongst other high profile projects they have worked on an extensive restoration project on the Park Plaza Hotel. The Park Plaza had come to a point where the murals painted directly on plaster (a form of secco fresco) were falling apart and the highly detailed designs were not even visible. The decorations were not only losing their beauty, they were actually fading away completely affecting the overall impression of the hotel.

Biola mural said to be offensive to some
By Sandra T. Molina, Staff Writer

ART: Students walk past the 40-foot-tall mural of Jesus at Biola University in La Mirada on Thursday May 15, 2008. The planned refurbishing of a 40-foot mural of Jesus, called "The Word" has reignited a controversy on campus. Some say it should be allowed to fade away out of existence, while others say the artwork should be preserved. (Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger)

LA MIRADA - In the 18 years since a prominent Los Angeles muralist painted it, the 40-foot depiction of Jesus Christ on a Biola University building has sparked controversy.

Students of color say they are offended by Jesus being portrayed as white.
The latest round in the controversy began earlier this month when university officials began considering to refurbish the mural, titled "The Word."
Biola officials decided Thursday to delay a decision on restoring the mural for a year.

"I met with the president (Barry Corey), and we decided to put the matter on hold to extend discussions throughout the Biola community," said Provost Gary Miller.

full article at: http://www.whittierdailynews.com/news/ci_9289873

This is not the first time that this odd controversy about this mural has taken place, I call it odd simply for the luck of the better word, I is hard to be serious imagining Jesus in wide pants and "lapty" holding on to balalaika being all that Russian as I, as Russian born should desire him to be...

10 years ago this controversy resolved in the following

Thousands of artists received funds through the Works Progress Administration and other New Deal programs during the 1930s and early 1940s. Some of the artists became household names--Dorothea Lange, Edward Weston, and Cameron Booth, to name a few. Many others did not, but their work became part of the fabric of American culture in the form of post-office murals and handicrafts. By the People, For the People: New Deal Art at the Weisman offers up the full spectrum of work from this era.

Strother Martin Monument 1972, artist Kent Twitchell
photo by Ruth Wallach

Reading through some of the blogs responding to the LA Times story I see that there is still some misunderstanding about the graffiti issue. I only oppose spray paint when it is used to cover over murals or other public art. That is called vandalism and that alone is the reason "we cannot coexist" as I was correctly quoted as saying in the Times. It is the reason LA is no longer the mural capital. Once there were 2 - 3 thousand murals here and every one has been destroyed by spray paint. Either they were painted out because the vandalism became such a blight or they are still out there covered with spray paint and therefore just waiting to be coated over with beige paint.

Spray paint on murals has caused a slow redefinition of the exterior mural,
once an oasis in Los Angeles. Now many people see murals as ugly when actually it is the vandalism that is ugly. I'm not against artists who use spray paint in their work. I used it myself during 1962-63, but every muralist I know is demoralized by all of their works being destroyed by the stuff.