Union-Trib:
The Surfing Madonna mosaic will be removed from the train bridge on Encinitas Boulevard “as soon as possible,” and the artist will pay for it, and more.
That’s the crux of a settlement announced Tuesday between Surfing Madonna artist Mark Patterson and the city of Encinitas over what to do with the unauthorized but beloved stained-glass mosaic of Our Lady of Guadalupe on a surfboard.
The haters won, but at least Encinitas will always have the Surfing Madonna in a new location. Mark Patterson had been resigned to moving the Madonna recently, in light of the traffic risk of admirers stepping into the street. And I don't think the money will hurt too badly for the former Microsoft employee and longtime Leucadia homeowner. I get the feeling he's OK with this. And I look forward to his next project.
Let's honor the Surfing Madonna by tossing the haters out of office in November 2012.
The vast majority of opinion was to leave the mural in place and let the controversy subside. It could have become an iconic symbol for Encinitas, remembered as the portal entrance to an environmentally aware and artistically inclined community. But the bureaucratic obstinate power obcessed city council demanded that it go, refusing to consider the pleas and petitions of the majority to save it. I hope the magic of the Madonna finishes off the careers of those that voted for its removal - $tockS and Bond especially. This city deserves better than these petty tyrants.
ReplyDeleteShould have left it and put another one across the street to balance it out.
ReplyDeleteI had wished for a different result as well. In time it would have not been a hazard, as people would not gather around it so much. They would know it would be there and they could see it when they wanted. The businesses would have thrived, as people from other places might have wanted to see her given all of the national attention. On a more positive note, the artist seems to truly want it in Encinitas and perhaps a merchant will let him put it on private property where the Council cannot have a say.
ReplyDeleteMark Patterson is a criminal and should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
ReplyDeleteHe is no more an artist than the a-holes that tag my building on a monthly basis. He is a vandal.
He has come out of the woods because he smells money, nothing more nothing less.
No part of Encinitas Blvd should be closed to facilitate this vandal to remove his "art".
9:18,
ReplyDeleteHi Jerome!
anon9:41- Jerome wishes he had my mind, style, class and panache. He's the biggest of the losers on the ECC.
ReplyDeleteIt came down last night. I was telling a physician I was visiting yesterday about it and she was going to go see it this weekend. Too late I guess. I still cannot get my mind around the fact the the City Council did not get to vote on the terms and conditions regarding this. At least that is what Teresa told me. Seems so weird.
ReplyDeleteBarth has no more idea what is happening at city hall than the man in the moon. Hopefully Mark Patterson has had is 15 min of fame and will be gone for good. But I'm not so optimistic as others.
ReplyDeletewww.ourladyofencinintas.com follow the money.
ReplyDeleteIt is unfortunate how this has played out. I personally was a fan of the artwork. However, in our country we operate under a rule of law. The law was broken and there are consequences. In fact, one could argue that the artist got off easy. So stop your crying and get out and vote for your interests in November 2012.
ReplyDeleteMr. Rule of Law - march lockstep in goose stepping strides, mein brown shirt. This was a case where reasonable accomodation could have been made to leave the mural in place, as the public good was not offended by the action. It had wide-spread appeal and was considered a boon for downtown commerce. "The artist got off easy" - you were probably a lynch mob participant in your last life. He reimbursed the city for the charges that were paid out - sounds like no harm - no foul. $tockS must go next election - his type of mentality is an anathema to a frr-style community like Encinitas.
ReplyDelete