Council to Consider Wyland Mural Lights
To light or not to light is the question the City Council will consider Tuesday as it debates whether artist Wyland should be allowed to illuminate the new mural alongside his downtown studio.
The discussion will mark the latest chapter in a dispute between the artist and Claes Andersen, who operates the Hotel Laguna next door.
Andersen insisted last year that the original “Whaling Wall,” which was on the hotel property and which he considered an eyesore, be painted over.
Wyland appealed to the City Council, but city leaders said they could not interfere with Andersen’s plans to repaint it.
Consequently, the wall was painted over and Wyland created a new mural on the side of his own building, directly above the original mural site.
As a finishing touch, the artist wants to mount fluorescent tubes along the bottom of the mural.
Some Design Review Board members, who felt the mural was actually more of a sign, said that lighting it would make it appear even more sign-like. They rejected Wyland’s proposal, 3-2, prompting Tuesday’s appeal to the City Council.
Information: (714) 497-0705.
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