Many of you have been following the saga of Hector Ponce's mural at 6th and
Westlake. The mural, a symbol of the struggle for indigenous rights,
depicts both Emiliano Zapata and Zapatista leader, Sub-Commandante Marcos.
The mural was destroyed once before by the City of Los Angeles Cultural
Affairs Department and is once again in danger. The Los Angeles Department
of Building and Safety designated the piece as an "Illegal Sign" and issued
an order to the building owner to either remove it or bring it to code. I
was recently informed by Brad Neighbors, Senior Inspector, that they have
now referred the case to the Los Angeles Building and Safety Commission for
a public hearing to determine whether the piece is in fact a mural or a
sign. The hearing has not yet been scheduled and it is unclear how long
before it is scheduled.
The Social and Public Art Resource Center (SPARC) asks that the public
express their support for public art as well as their disdain for the
efforts of the Department of Building and Safety to define the parameters
between art and signage. Please contact Senior Inspector Brad Neighbors at
the Department of Building and Safety at (213) 738-5674 and your local City
Councilperson. Letters of support for this important public artwork can be
faxed or e-mailed to SPARC at (310) 827-8717 or sparc@....
