Cops threaten Mr. Brainwash for 'Art Show 2011'--and all the outside art hast to come down.
It seemed to good to last. Just as 'Art Show 2011' was filling in and building up momentum, and perhaps because of this very fact, the LAPD paid a visit to Mr. Brainwash today and ordered him to take down all the art on the outside of the building.
The cops say that they received a complaint--maybe it was from Mr. Brainwash's neighbor who was not happy with the art that went up on his wall in the parking lot. They said that the art encouraged 'gang' behavior. That line might work for speeches at the Rotary Club, but not when you are telling that to artists. Sure, we have seen gang graffiti, it usually has a bunch of X's and 13's. And there is literally no 'gang' graffiti anywhere on this building.
Still, Mr. Brainwash says that the important thing is for the show to go on. He is being forced to buff the outside art so that the inside can continue unimpeded. So MBW called M&F and invited us down to the space again today to take more pics before it was completely buffed, and to tell the story. Mr. Brainwash really felt strongly that it was important to for us to capture the art before it got buffed, so that even though though it is gone from the wall, it will live on forever on the internet.
So, we snapped pics of nearly every piece before it got buffed.
Mr. Brainwash did try to salvage what he could and he has plans to try and bring some of the art from outside in. More on that later.
Soo we are all in gangs now?
ReplyDeleteA dream come true haha
-Madman
fuck off LAPD. not every person with a can or brush is in a gang
ReplyDeletemaaaaaaaan i really hate police fuck them pig ass mofos!!!
ReplyDeleteSICK!!! too bad it had to go!
ReplyDeleteWent there this morning to get some flicks there were some suits there assessing the damage & not for nothing but god dammm they looked madder than a mothafucka. mad lafn. Appreciate your blog. Keep on, keepn on. All best, much respect. RS70
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this! Is there any way you get whoever that is in charge to make sure to check their PO Box? My addition has been waiting there since Friday and will be shipped back to me if no one picks it up by Wed. This makes me sad. Really want to be a part of this! Thanks, any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks for keeping this blog!
ReplyDeletePlease post the individual officer/ Detective's contact info. The community needs to know who is to be held accountable for this illegal censorship.
ReplyDeleteNeighborhood complaints are addressed by the Department of Building and Safety. This is NOT the jurisdiction of LAPD.
It is not acceptable for LAPD to make public safety assessment based off of misguided claims or gathered intelligence.
The specific detectives that addressed this as a public safety issue need to be made public, and people should call the city council office for the district that is hosting the show, as well as their own councilman's office.
Councilman Huizar, Reyes, and others are watching this situation closely. If they are informed of this censorship and attempt to marginalize the art community, they will act accordingly.
I will be watching this situation very closely.