One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Is This ANOTHER Banksy Crayon-Inspired Piece in L.A.? [UPDATED]
Photo by mrlongsworth via Posterous
As the clock ticks down towards Sunday's Academy Awards, Los Angeles may have hit a "Banksy Fever" apex, and we aren't immune here at LAist. First there was the "Crayola Shooter," then the "Charlie Brown Firestarter." Next, while the "Pissing Dog," was late to catch our attention, the "Living the Dream" billboard attracted so much attention it had to come down immediately. Meanwhile, fans became outraged when they heard Urban Outfitters, whose Westwood wall was where the colorful kid with the gun showed up, wanted to paint over the piece. Only it wasn't Urban Outfitters--it was the property management--who wanted it gone. Only, well, someone else got to it first, and Charlie Brown is no more.
Reader @mrlongsworth Tweeted us this morning with what could be a fifth Banksy to pop up of late, and the second one with the crayon motif. Still not confirmed by Banksy's official website, the wall at Washington Boulevard and Compton Avenue is far south of the street artist's usual Hollywood/Melrose/West Hollywood domain. Do we have yet another Banksy piece to ogle? [UPDATE: It's confirmed. This, and 2 other pieces, are by Banksy]
And, yes, we know: there are tons of other street artists at work in Los Angeles these days. Of note among the many, JR has been at MOCA, and on Melrose (which Mondette says is the new "mecca" for street art).
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
