Art World
Foster the People’s LA Mural Whitewashed
Despite a campaign from fans, the Los Angeles mural touting indie rock band Foster the People has been painted over, reports the Los Angeles Times. Although the mural had received a stay of execution last month thanks to the mayor’s office (see artnet News report), the whitewashing took place August 1.
The 125- by 150-foot mural featured the cover art from the band’s latest album, Supermodel, designed by local music and art collective Young & Sick.
It was located on the back of the historic Santa Fe Lofts, and therein lay the problem: the building’s owner, real-estate company Capital Foresight, was eager to comply with preservation codes that grant tax breaks for maintaining the building’s original appearance.
The band, building owner, and mayor’s office released a joint statement, explaining that it was “necessary to remove the mural to return this historic property to its original state.” Despite the mural’s untimely demise, all three parties voiced their “commitment to working together to create a new mural in another downtown location that all Angelenos can enjoy for many years” with details to “be revealed at a later date.”
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