A taxpayer-funded mural in Lakeview was taken down by mistake by the city last week, apparently after someone complained it was graffiti and should be removed, according to city officials.

Chicago-based artist JC Rivera’s signature bright yellow “bear champ” went up earlier this month at the CTA Paulina Brown Line stop. But the mural, commissioned by the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce and paid for out of a special taxpayer fund, wasn’t long for this world: In fact, it was on display for a shorter time than it took Rivera to paint the piece.

Late last week, someone notified the city’s 311 nonemergency center and reported the mural as graffiti, triggering a request for its removal, said Marjani Williams, a spokeswoman for the city’s Department of Streets and Sanitation. The city did not detail the 311 request.

“The Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation (DSS) removes graffiti on public and private property in response to requests from residents and to proactively support the City’s anti-crime and beautification efforts,” according to a statement from the department. “Unfortunately, a newly commissioned piece of public art in the Lakeview community was covered after it was reported as graffiti.”

“As many people who ride the Brown Line regularly can attest, the mural had quickly become a beloved part of the neighborhood and we were devastated to see it removed,” according to a statement from the Lakeview Chamber of Commerce. “Lakeview has a strong commitment to public art and we are working with the City of Chicago to resolve this issue. We’ll provide an update when we have more information on the resolution and next steps.”

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-mural-removed-rivera-paulina-20180828-story.html



I once got into an argument with bigfan over art installations at L stations. I said that stations should never just be plain white walls because public spaces should be made to look nice and engaging. He said there was no point in trying to make stations look interesting because gangs would just deface the art anyway. Well, I guess Streets & San is sort of a gang.

I'm a BigFan of JC Rivera's and his Bear Champ work. Love all of his murals around the city.
We have a pretty big framed piece of his in our house, and a smaller piece that he drew and framed when we had a couple drinks with him once. Nice, laid back guy.

The city obviously screwed up here. Wonder who made the initial call?

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-met-mural-removed-rivera-paulina-20180828-story.html



I once got into an argument with bigfan over art installations at L stations. I said that stations should never just be plain white walls because public spaces should be made to look nice and engaging. He said there was no point in trying to make stations look interesting because gangs would just deface the art anyway. Well, I guess Streets & San is sort of a gang.

Blame the caller.

TP + Bernstein = MATCH

Denied.

Blame the caller.

I do blame the caller, but the caller didn't paint over it. I understand why little patches of graffiti should go, but how do you pull up to the side of a big building and not say "that's a mural, dipshit"?