Signage or Art? Provocative Murals Spark Debate

The Ho-Down Mural Project, an art installation sponsored by the Erotic Heritage Museum in Las Vegas, has caused a debate over the difference between signage and art. [Credit: Steve Marcus.]

LAS VEGAS, NV —  A provocative public mural art installation exhibit sponsored by the Erotic Heritage Museum of Las Vegas is causing quite a debate. The non-profit museum was recently charged with a signage code violation after their so-called Ho-Down Mural Project was labeled pornographic by city officials.

“They are not signs,” commented Allen Lichtenstein of the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada. “There was no violation of anything. This is art.”

The museum's ultimate plan was to dedicate the artworks to the city. Supporters say the murals painted on the building's exterior walls have artistic value and are a celebration of under-appreciated Urban Art. Critics found offense in the exposed nipples on the portraits of women.

 

Museum curator Dr. Laura Henkel explained, “These murals are intended to present a forum for conversation and education on sexuality and art.” She continued, “We were instantly sensitive to the community and voluntarily applied 'pasties' to cover portions of the artists’ renderings so the art would not be damaged.”

In a city known for sex, drinking, gambling and a "what happens here, stays here" mentality, one can't help but wonder how the murals got so much notice in the first place.

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Signage or Art? Provocative Murals Spark Debate

Jeanne-Claude (1935-2009), Artist and Wife of Christo

"We want to create works of art of joy and beauty, which we will build because we believe it will be beautiful. Like every artist, every true artist, we create them for us." ~Jeanne-Claude

NEW YORK — The orange-headed artist known simply as Jeanne-Claude died from complications of a brain aneurysm on Wednesday night; she was 74. As the wife and muse of well-known artist, Christo, the pair traveled the world creating large scale "wrapped" installations, the most famous of which was The Gates of Central Park (2005).

Jeanne-Claude was born in Casablanca, Morocco on June 13, 1935 (coincidentally also Christo's date of birth). The couple met in Paris in 1958 and eventually moved to Manhattan, where they've lived for the past 45 years.

Jeanne-Claude and Christo have spent the last 51 years collaborating on various art projects, often called environmental art. Though the "final" results are temporary, the installations require numerous preparatory drawings, collages, scale models and lithographs, the sale of which has solely provided their financial support. The "green" couple has conscientiously recycled the miles of fabric and other materials used in the creation for each of their undertakings.

Perhaps the most legendary Jeanne-Claude/Christo collaboration was The Gates, viewed by five-million people. Twenty-three miles of footpaths in Central Park were filled with 7,503 frames covered by saffron drapes; the project ultimately injected over $250 million into the local economy. The duo's other installations include The Umbrellas (1990), in which 1,760 yellow umbrellas were set up in California while 1,340 blue umbrellas were simultaneously installed in Japan, and the 1995 wrapping of the Reichstag building in Berlin.

Christo's family said he is deeply saddened by his wife's death and remains "committed to honor the promise they made to each other many years ago: that the art of Christo and Jeanne-Claude would continue."

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Read More - Artist Jeanne-Claude Dies; Co-Created 'The Gates' | AP

[Photos: Jeanne-Claude and Christo in front of The Gates | The Gates, New York (2005) | The Umbrellas, Japan (1991) | Reichstag, Berlin (1995)]

Jeanne-Claude (1935-2009), Artist and Wife of Christo

Attention Mall Shoppers: World's Largest Mona Lisa On View

WREXHAM, WALES -- Mall shoppers in Wales were certainly treated to something better than a sweet snack at the food court on Wednesday. The world's largest reproduction of the famed Mona Lisa was revealed at the Eagles Meadow shopping center in Wrexham.

“It’s mind-blowing, but the smile is still as enigmatic as ever. It took over a week to do her face — everybody knows what it looks like so we had to make sure it was exactly right," said artist Katy Webster, who was in charge of the project. Here are some more impressive stats: the project required 245 people, working for 987 hours, using 23 gallons of paint on 82 different vinyl squares, to create a work of art that measures 2,583 square feet.

Unlike visiting Leonardo da Vinci's original fine art masterpiece in Paris' Louvre Museum, shopper-spectators are not charged an entry fee, there is no neck craning or eye straining necessary, and visitors can touch the masterpiece without fear of tripping any alarms.

Members from the entire community contributed to the construction, including school children from Victoria Primary School and members of the Haulfan Centre for people with disabilities. Folks can purchase a little piece of the record-breaking artwork by donating money to Hope House, a local charity that provides for terminally ill children.

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[Read More - Citizens in Wales Produce Largest Ever Reproduction of the Mona Lisa | Artdaily.org]

Attention Mall Shoppers: World's Largest Mona Lisa On View

Artists Hope Ice House Makes a Chilling Statement in Detroit

DETROIT -- This winter, two artists plan to make a chilling statement about the high foreclosure rate continuing to debilitate the city of Detroit. One of the 80,000 abandoned houses in downtown Detroit will be sprayed with water in subzero temperatures and gradually covered in layers of ice. In the spring, any salvageable materials will be reused, the house will be demolished and the lot donated to local farmers. The process will be documented and shared via blog, photographs and film, with additional plans to produce fine art prints and a limited edition art book.

Dubbed Ice House Detroit, the architectural installation was conceived by photographer Gregory Holm and architect Matthew Radune. According to their website, Ice House Detroit "aims to uphold concepts of neighborhood integrity, material reuse, public art, social empowerment, and urban farming." The pair are currently trying to raise the $11,000 necessary to complete the project. Their deadline for funding is December 16.

Watch the following video or visit www.kickstarter.com/projects/icehousedetroit/ice-house-detroit to learn more:

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Artists Hope Ice House Makes a Chilling Statement in Detroit

LAPD Chief Calls It a Cow Splat, But Is It Art?

LOS ANGELES -- Artist Peter Shelton has called his mammoth bronze sculpture "sixbeaststwomonkeys" and "animaline," but Los Angeles police chief William Bratton has another name for it - "some kind of cow splat." The $500,000 sculpture (not yet formally named) is installed outside the back of LAPD headquarters. Though the artist set out to create a "playful and provocative" work, his art is provoking negative responses from some of the staff inside, including the outspoken chief Bratton.

"An unwanted thing just suddenly landed here. I just don't get that, and we are stuck with it," Bratton said in an interview. Some critics don't understand what the massive structure is supposed to represent, others question whether this was money wasted in a time of economic crisis.

Shelton, who has exhibited at prominent art institutions, including New York's Whitney Museum and the Museum of Modern Art, is pleased with his work. After 10 years working on public art projects he looks forward to going back into the studio.

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[Read more - Bratton, Artist at Odds Over Sculpture at LAPD HQ | San Francisco Examiner]

LAPD Chief Calls It a Cow Splat, But Is It Art?