With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support 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.
Sorry, Foster The People: The City Doesn't Want Your Mural Downtown [Updated]
It's been less than six months since Foster the People commissioned a gigantic mural to be painted alongside a downtown building. And now city officials are forcing the rock band to take their artwork down by July 14.
Sure, we may have gotten sick of hearing "Pumped Up Kicks" one too many times, but that's not the reason the city is doing this. The 125-by-150-foot painting, which is located at 539 S. Los Angeles St. is an exact replica of the band's album cover for their "Supermodel" release in March. Foster the People's frontman Mark Foster wrote in a statement today, "The permits that we were told were approved, have retroactively been denied due to a number of issues involving the building and the city."
He didn't discuss why the permits were denied, but the L.A. Times reported that it may have had something to do with the city's regulations on not having advertisements as murals. There's been an ongoing debate between local residents on whether the mural is a piece of art, or a straight-up ad.
Foster also expressed how upset he was about it: "This news has come as a surprise and disappointment to me and everyone else that collaborated on making this project happen. This mural was our contribution to the city of Los Angeles - our kiss of color to the city we love."
Support for LAist comes from
The band had performed in front of the completed mural (which was designed by an L.A.-based graphic artist, Young & Sick) on Jan. 23, and during the time of his performance, Foster talked about how he wanted to make the neighborhood more beautiful with this mural.
Foster the People will be painting over the mural on July 14 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and asked people to come by to talk about art, music and community with them.
Here is a video of the mural going up:
UPDATE July 14, 10:40 a.m.: Thanks to Mayor Eric Garcetti, the Foster the People mural will stay up. After fans signed a petition to keep up the artwork (which had over 12,000 signatures), and also voiced their concerns to Garcetti through social media, the mayor made sure that the wall wouldn't be painted over, reported NBC Los Angeles.
The band tweeted out these messages when they received the news:
We just received a call from the mayor’s office. @EricGarcetti saw your petition and decided against repainting the wall. The Mural Stays!
— Foster The People (@fosterthepeople) July 14, 2014
To be clear, @EricGarcetti wasn't behind covering the mural to begin with. He's the reason it's staying up. We tip our hats to you good sir🎩
— Foster The People (@fosterthepeople) July 14, 2014
Support for LAist comes from
Foster added that the band would still be filming and handing out posters at the building today from 12 pm to 4 p.m.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
Best of LAist