Changes are made to controversial mural
By Edwin Folven, 9/06/2012
City now examines whether storage shed is illegal
A controversial mural painted on a shed in an alley behind a barbershop in the 7900 block of West 3rd Street was altered last Thursday in response to complaints from residents and the office of City Councilman Paul Koretz, 5th District.
A controversial mural in alley behind stores on 3rd Street has been changed after some people complained it was offensive. (photo by Edwin Folven)
Paul Michael Neuman, a deputy to Koretz, said the controversial elements of the mural had been painted over before inspectors from the Department of Building and Safety arrived. He said the re-painting had effectively satisfied the councilman’s concerns. The city is still looking into the issue of whether the mural needs a permit, he said, and that building and safety department inspectors are still determining whether the shed is an illegal structure. A decision will be made within the next 30 days as to whether the structure is illegal and needs to be brought up to code, or would be required to be torn down.
“Many people love murals, and many people hate them, but that part of the concern has now been rendered moot,” Neuman said.
T.J., an employee at the barbershop, said the artist altered parts of the mural that some deemed offensive in response to neighborhood concerns. Fairfax District resident Joel Rothman, who said the mural was “highly offensive”, is pleased it has been re-painted.
“I am satisfied with what they’ve done,” Rothman added. “I support the arts, and normally I’d be the last person to be complaining about an artwork or trying to change the intent of the artist, but I am the parent of a young child and the last thing I want to have to do is offer an explanation for that.”
Tags | mural on 3rd Street the Proper Barbershop L.a. City Councilman Paul Koretz
