$50,000 Billboard Supposedly Stolen

M&F just got sent a press release saying that a $50,000 billboard got taken down and stolen from the Sunset Strip.

The story is that a billboard went up on Sunset advertising the Samuel Bayer art show at the Ace Gallery.  M&F was told that after it had gone up on Sunset, that low brow artist Phil Frost came and 'bombed' the billboard by painting over two of the faces and adding his signature on the left hand side below the gallery information.  The reason that M&F got sent the press release is because after the billboard got painted by Phil Frost, the press release claims that somebody else came and stole the billboard.  The press release also attaches an estimated price tag of $50,000 for the missing billboard, and offers a reward for any information on the stolen billboard.

The story sounds juicy, but there are a lot of inconsistencies.  M&F responded back with some questions about the piece, and we have been told that the police report is 100% authentic.  That said, some of the details in the press release make us skeptical that the billboard was bombed or stolen, and in our professional street opinion, it seems that this situation was contrived for media purposes.

First of all, it was sent as a press release.  For an art show that is currently running, which might cause some people to raise some eyebrows.  But this is not the biggest red flag with the situation.

After following street art and graffiti for so long on the streets, one begins to grow an appreciation not just for how street art looks, but how it is done.  And the artwork on the billboard itself is suspect as an illicit street bombing.  When true bombers hit a billboard, they are usually limited to the area that they can reach while standing at the base of the billboard, such as this one here.  Billboards are HUGE, and just looking at this one that was supposedly painted while riding on Sunset by Phil Frost, the paint is all over the billboard, not just along the bottom.  To reach the high up and middle spots of the billboard, Phil Frost would have had to been using ropes and or ladders to paint what was there. But looking at the billboard, Frost's art doesn't seem constrained by the actual logistical problems of painting in on a billboard.

Furthermore, the billboard is located at a prime spot at one of LA's most heavily trafficked intersections, on Sunset near Crescent Heights.  It doesn't matter what time of the day or night it is, there are always people around the area.  It would have been difficult to bomb the billboard at all, but the way it was done with art all over would have taken a fair amount of time to get up.  It just seems super unlikely that Phil Frost--who is not a traditional street artist--would risk this action, and an even stranger tale that he would be able to get away with it without getting caught with all the the ladders and ropes up there.

BUT, to add a whole additional level of intrigue to the situation, it is not unusual for street art to get stolen from walls or electrical boxes, but the only time M&F has ever heard of a billboard being stolen to take the art was with Banksy's Living the Dream billboard in 2011.  The Banksy billboard had many similarities to the Frost billboard in that there were questions the logistics and how the billboard itself was bombed, who painted it, who owned the piece, and who took it down, and where it would end up.  The police were also called out to mediate with the Banksy situation, but ultimately, the owners of the billboard kept the 'stolen' Banksy billboard.  Last we heard, Banksy's Living the Dream was set to get hung in a casino wall in Las Vegas.

Sound familiar?  Well, what would you think if you found out that the Frost billboard which has reportedly been stolen was located at the exact same location on Sunset as Banksy's Livin' the Dream.

Coincidence?  Maybe.  If you buy that, we know someone who has some ocean front property in Arizona to sell you. This press release is offering a reward and asking for any information on the 'stolen' billboard, but M&F is waiting for the Frost piece to show up on a casino wall in Las Vegas.

What do followers of M&F think?  Is there any way this could this be legit? And does it feel like advertisers are trying to 'use' the scene?

Check out the pictures and the official press release below:


For immediate release; Phil Frost / Samuel Bayer $50K Billboard Stolen
in Los Angeles

March 11, 2013 - Los Angeles, CA - In celebration of his solo fine art
photography show at Ace Gallery Beverly Hills, Samuel Bayer designed a
series of billboards around the Los Angeles area. The billboards
featured artwork from Samuel's show which consists on diptych and
triptych portraits of female models.

Shortly after going up, one of the billboards (located on Sunset Blvd
east of Crescent Heights Blvd) attracted the attention of legendary
painter and fine artist Phil Frost. Frost painted the billboard with
two of his iconic characters plus signed the billboard with his name.
The billboard, now estimated at a value of over $50,000 with the
addition of Frost's art, was stolen Monday March 4th between the hours
of 6pm and 10pm.

"It’s definitely been one of the most bizarre and overzealous
situations we have seen. In the 14 years of business we have never
encountered such a situation." said Majd Elias of Swing Media, owners
of the billboard company who have filed a police report.

Samuel Bayer is asking for anyone that has information on the
billboard's disappearance to please come forward for a reward. Samuel
Bayer's show runs through April 27th, 2013 at Ace Gallery Beverly
Hills.

http://SamuelBayer.com
http://AceGallery.net

Livin in LA - Vacation at the Playboy Mansion!

Another segment in M&F's ongoing series 'Living in LA - Vacation in LA'.

Last night, M&F accomplished a life long dream and visited the Playboy Mansion in Beverly Hills.

It is nearly every man's dream to visit this hollowed ground, and in every way, the Playboy Mansion lived up to or exceeded expectations.  

The Playboy Mansion has a feel of a sorority house mixed with a luxury hotel.  The inside is richly ornamented and decorated with wood carvings, while the outside property is a playground jungle of fun.  From tip to toe, the Mansion itself is a bachelor's dream party house.

The night we visited, there were 3 gorgeous Playboy Bunny's roaming around the party.  The girls looked exactly like the centerfolds in the magazine--perfect~.   Each had a glowing face like the girl next door.   The best line of the night came from Miss September 2012 (the dark haired beauty in the black dress) when M&F's editor-in-chief Greg asked her when the pillow fights will start.  He was joking, but she was dead serious when she explained in answering him back that the pillow fights usually happen on Sundays.  Can we come please get invited back on a Sunday?  Or at least for a trampoline party?

Thank you to all the beautiful ladies at the Playboy Mansion.  And major props to Mr. Hugh Hefner for setting the gold standard for men everywhere.

Everyone who lives in LA definitely needs to vacation at the Playboy Mansion at some point.  Check out the pics below from the Playboy Mansion below:

^After entering the front gates, the first thing you will see is a sign that says 'Watch for Animals'.  The 2nd sign is much more fun and it says 'Playmates at PLAY'.

^Animals are a big part of the atmosphere at the Playboy Mansion, and there are 3 African Cranes like this one wandering the property.

^Here is half of the graffiti tandem Dabs & Myla enjoying a drink next to the exotic birds.

^Reverse voyeurism.  This picture is included because a gorgeous blond girl kept peering out the window at the action down below.  Oh Playboy Mansion--so full of beautiful surprises!

^There was an air of mystery hovering around world famous Grotto.

If only these walls could talk--or actually, if these walls had video! Heh heh.

Pimp's Paradise!

^The pool outside looks like it was built for a music video.  This little tunnel leads into the hot tubs of the grotto.

^The back view of the Playboy Mansion.  Shot taken near the trampoline.

^The Playboy Mansion has a mini zoo out back.  These squirrel monkeys were adorable!

^Back inside the mansion, there are more monkeys.  Each one of these impressive 5 foot carvings is placed on either side of the stairs leading up to the living quarters.

Not sure what the round egg looking thing the monkey is holding actually is, but it seems to represent the idea that most men better leave their balls at the bottom of these stairs!

^Pic from the stairs looking down at the Playboy Party.

^Dabs Myla posing for pictures with Playboy Bunny's and more artists.

^Team M&F having some fun with the lovely ladies at the Playboy Mansion.  (Please invite us back for the Sunday pillow fights!!)

^Wedding picture featuring Hef & Crystal.  Congrats!

And Crystal's dog.

This dog was actually getting taken out to go to the bathroom in the front yard as we arrived at the party.  Strangely enough, the dog was being carried out by a worker in their arms, not walked out.  Guess the rich dogs don't have it all!

^All kinds of free munchy goodies at the party.  Does candy taste better at the Playboy Mansion?  Yes. The Milk Duds were fresher.

^Here is the in-house movie theatre at the Playboy Mansion.

^Yes, there were boobs at the Playboy Mansion, but only on the paintings hanging on the walls.

^More of the luxury at the Mansion.  This corner had the feel of a real household where the pieces had been moved here to make room for the movie screen.

^A cardboard cut out of Hugh Hefner in the Library at the Mansion.

Straight pimpin'!

^As the movie theater starts filling in.

^The only other boobs spotted at the Playboy Mansion, but the entire evening was magical.

Thanks for the vacation in LA, Playboy Mansion.

Stay up!~

Livin in LA - Vacation in Fortune Magazine

M&F had the chance to visit a friend from out of town at this friend's dad's house.

Turns out visiting this friend's dad's house was like stepping into Fortune Magazine.

The views are incredible, looking out towards the Beach to the West, Santa Barbara to the North, and Ventura to the South.

Even the air feels expensive at a spot this plush, and this is the kind of home the rest of us can all dream of!

MELROSEandFAIRFAX Scandal: Fact or Fiction?

Some people have been implying that we are spreading rumor as fact.

We resent the implication.

Banksy's Livin the Dream Was An Inside Job

Apparently, Banksy's 'Livin It Up' billboard takeover in LA was not a billboard takeover at all. Click the jump for more

New Video and Website for 'X'

Rumors have been swirling that it was 'X' who showed Banksy's crew around town, and up top of the 'Livin the Dream' billboard. We still can't verify that, but what we do know for sure is that 1.) X does hang out with Demi Moore, Susan Surandon, Blake Lively, Cobra Starship and a grip more celebrities, 2.) he has hit seemingly every other rooftop and billboard in LA, and 3.) he just launched his website, 'Thank You, 'X'', which comes with the release of dope new video as well.

We enjoy most street art videos but we have a special appreciation for the ones that are well done, and this Adolfo J Lara is one of the best we have seen. It is more like a 3 minute film than a video, masterfully edited and cut, and in that short amount of time it captures the action and thrill of the streets, as well as the essence of 'X' as a person as he talks about cops, art and his 'thank you' to Andy Warhol.

It has been a thrill to watch X's street career skyrocket as high as the rooftops he climbs. Click the links to find out more about X, and join us in following his career as it shoots even higher~

Banksy's Livin the Dream Still Livin it Up -Going to Vegas

The Light Group owns the property that Banksy utilized in his 'Livin the Dream' billboard takeover, and they said they were flattered that Banksy chose to paint over a 'generic' canvas. However, the space was leased by The Light Group to CBS Outdoor Advertising, and CBS employees were the ones who removed the billboard and disrespectfully wadded it up in a ball.

Well, The Light Group has now got the piece back in their possession, and plan to send it to Las Vegas.

The guy pictured above speaking to the police is the one from The Light Group who almost got in a fight with an employee who took the piece down. Click the jump below for more exclusive pics of the billboard going down and to find out what The Light Group plans to do with Banksy's Livin the Dream.

BEST of BANKSY on MELROSEandFAIRFAX

MELROSEandFAIRFAX has been at the forefront of all the Banksy action in LA. In fact, we think we were the first internet source to post all four pieces and have had the exclusive jump on the action that has happened since.

It all started with a tip we received on the blog we hunted down Banksy's Crayon Soldier. We didn't know anything about Lauren Conrad's tweet at the time, like most internet sources, and even though she technically had the inside scoop, we were the first to launch the initial pics of Banksy's Crayon Soldier.

Before the thrill of the first Banksy had even worn off, we were tipped off on another Banksy- the Charlie Brown on Sunset, and we rushed over to take the first pics, and put QtipTheCat in the pics for good measure.

On the way home from Charlie, we snapped pics of what we thought at the time was just another impressive graffiti billboard takeover and posted them that same night. We were the first ones in the world to post these images, but had no idea that 'Livin the Dream' was Banksy at the time. The next day Banksy posted the images on his website and word got out that the billboard was a Banksy.

We had hardly got done posting that the billboard was indeed a Banksy when a viewer submitted pics of the pissing Bulldog. We blasted the pics out there not sure at the time whether it was a Banksy or not. It was, and we locked down the position of being the first internet source to cover each of Banksy's four new pieces in Los Angeles.

It has been a wild ride that did not stop with the discovery but led on to Charlie being boarded up, and then uncovered and drilled, and finally removed and put on ebay.

As if that weren't drama enough, Livin the Dream got taken down and respectable folks almost came to fists fighting over it.

And aside from all the pieces themselves, there have been all kinds of great community stories including rumors about other pieces by Banksy, Banksy getting spot-jacked, stories of dedication from the legions of Banksy fans, street art dedicated to Banksy's street art, not to mention good dialogue on the topic of street art.

But perhaps the coolest thing has been the way the community has flocked to MELROSEandFAIRFAX for the latest breaking news on Banksy, and not only find out about what's happening, but contribute to the making the story itself and submitting, what we believe to be exclusive shots of Banksy's Crayon Soldier before it was buffed.

It has been a wild ride, and we have only managed 10 hours of sleep the last 3 nights combined. It has been well worth it, and we have loved every moment of this chase. Huge thanks to all the viewers, followers, and contributors who have made all this magic happen!

And our personal guess is that there might be a new crop of Banksy street art in Los Angeles after the Oscars are awarded. Win or lose, we expect to see something. (But c'mon, no doubt Banksy is going to win! When is the last time people were talking about the award so much?)

Keep checking back to MELROSEandFAIRFAX for the latest, greatest breaking news on Banksy in LA.

Blank Banksy Billboard

Banksy's billboard takeover was taken down yesterday.

Here is a shot of the new lonely looking blank space.

What a rude awakening to the dream!

***BTW, we hear there was a big crowd and some real drama when the piece came down. Anyone have more pics or info?***

Really Livin' the Dream - Up Close Shots From Banksy's Billboard

Banksy's 'Livin the Dream' billboard takeover got taken down today. But before it did, the folks at Jetset Graffiti climbed up to the billboard itself to get some up close and personal shots.

Click the jump below for more

Banksy Billboard on Sunset Taken Down

No Longer Dreamin'.

Banksy's 'Livin' the Dream' Billboard Takeover on Sunset has been take down and is no longer running. Click the jump below for more

Banksy is Livin' the Dream!

According to the Wooster Collective, the impressive billboard takeover we posted last night was orchestrated by Banksy.

Maybe this impressive graffiti billboard takeover will help quiet Team Robbo and the haters, and give Banksy his long due and well earned street cred.

Our sources tell us that there are 4 new pieces of work from Banksy in LA, and MELROSEandFAIRFAX has had the exclusive first drop on 3/4. So there is at least one more out there to find!

Stay tuned to M&F for the latest and greatest from Banksy in LA, and click the jump for more pics and info.

Livin' the Dream

Impressive billboard takeover at a hot spot on Sunset.

The lower right corner says 'Livin the Dream'~

Click the jump below for more