Recently in On Public Art Category

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

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.

-Sheldon Mak Rose & Anderson spearheads settlement vindicating artists' rights

Pasadena, CA - Renowned artist and muralist Kent Twitchell, faculty member of the Fresco School, has settled his lawsuit against the U.S. Government and 12 other defendants for painting over his 70-foot tall landmark mural of Ed Ruscha, an important Los Angeles-based Pop artist. The settlement amount $1.1 million is believed to be the largest settlement ever under the seldom-invoked Federal Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) or the California Art Preservation Act (CAPA). VARA and CAPA forbid desecration, alteration, or destruction of certain public works of art without prior notice to the artist to allow for removal. The U.S. Government is contributing $250,000 to the settlement amount. William Brutocao, with the intellectual property law firm Sheldon Mak Rose & Anderson PC, served as Mr. Twitchell's lead trial attorney in this complex and legally-challenging case.

'This settlement sets an important precedent which will benefit other artists,' said Mr. Twitchell. 'This resolution makes it clear that when it comes to public art, you have to respect the artist's rights, or incur significant liability.' Both an artist and muralist, Mr. Twitchell is recognized for his larger-than-life realist mural portraits, often of celebrities and artists.

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.

This fascinating fresco demonstration is an excellent opportunity for you to get familiar with the creative process and concept of buon (true) fresco - painting on wet plaster. iLia Anossov, Nathan Zakheim, and Masha Zakheim will introduce their audience to the traditional method of the true (buon) fresco and erase most of the misconception about traditional buon fresco technique that one may currently have.

The event takes place on June 29th, 2004 at Venetian Hotel Las Vegas, Nevada as part of 2004 Fauxcademy Awards week.