Another Chance to Save Public Art
Another series of prominent public artworks are in poor shape. Unlike some past circumstances, this time the owner of the building on which these massive murals sit is taking responsibility and saying he intends to ensure they are restored. We expect he will stay true to his word.
Last week Los Angeles Downtown News reported that a series of four- and five-story tall artworks on the sides of the Victor Clothing Building in the Historic Core have been damaged. They include one of the city’s most fascinating murals, “The Pope of Broadway,” Eloy Torrez’s 22-year-old depiction of a dancing Anthony Quinn. Also suffering is “Bride and Groom” by Kent Twitchell - who last year saw his “Ed Ruscha Monument” in South Park unceremoniously painted over - and several others.
The Victor Clothing murals are suffering from common public-art ailments: graffiti, time and construction. Disrespectful taggers seized upon the property’s years of being empty and defaced the artworks, while over the course of decades rain and wind have had their expected effects on the outdoor paint. Additionally, developer Neighborhood Efforts, which is engaged in the noble pursuit of turning the building at 240 S. Broadway into 37 affordable and workforce apartments, has had to remove panels from some of the murals as it transforms the edifice.
A representative of Neighborhood Efforts, which acquired the property after another developer was unable to complete a restoration, said he is looking for funds for long-term preservation of the works. He has been in contact with Torrez and, he said, other artists. He appears to understand the artworks’ importance and, so far, is saying the right things.
We have no reason to doubt Neighborhood Efforts, and trust that the developer will do as he says. But we and others will be watching - these kinds of artworks are part of what make Downtown unique and attractive.
We do not see any indication that this will devolve like Downtown’s ugliest pubic art incident, when Twitchell’s “Ed Ruscha Monument” was painted over early one morning last June, an action taken so quickly and with such specific steps that it appeared to be an intentional act. To date, the YWCA of Greater Los Angeles (which operated a Job Corps program in the building) has refused to speak about who gave the order to paint it over. Twitchell has since sued the YWCA and some contractors.
That’s the most extreme example. We hope and expect it will be different here, and that in the near future Anthony Quinn will be dancing above Downtown in his original, colorful splendor.