L.A. Graffiti Artists Told to Whitewash Mural

LOS ANGELES—After issuing a permit for a number of graffiti artists to create a public mural, county officials are now demanding the organizers of the project whitewash the work or pay $70,000 for its removal, reports the Associated Press.

Alex Poli, a graffiti artist and gallery owner who goes by "Man One," enlisted the help of the Friends of the Los Angeles River organization last fall to obtain a permit to paint a portion of the Los Angeles river bank. The area comprises 10,000 square feet of concrete canyon where the Arroyo Seco tributary meets the Los Angeles River.

A number of graffiti artists painted the mural for free last September, creating a work of mixed imagery — from abstract scenes to an image of a pig in a suit smoking marijuana. County supervisor Gloria Molina immediately objected to some of the content and demanded that the mural be removed. In mid-October, parts of the work were whitewashed without warning, but the county has denied involvement. In December, Molina got the county board of supervisors to pass an emergency motion that gave the Friends of the Los Angeles River 90 days to paint over the work or pay for its removal.

Some original proponents of the project are wavering in their support. City councilman Ed Reyes expressed concern over the gang-related tagging that has been appended to the mural, and a spokeswomen for the Friends of the Los Angeles River said, "It's not what we thought it would be." Poli is considering painting over the murals, but is also talking to lawyers to see if a strongly worded letter can convince the county not to bill Friends of the Los Angeles River or his gallery.