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 during our fall member drive.
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.
Three Artists Sue AEG for Dumping Their Murals From Ritz-Carlton Art Show
Street artists are used to having their work destroyed or painted over — but probably not when their work is being displayed indoors.
The California artists Shepard Fairey, Mear One, Chor Boogie, and Shark Toof had their work on display in a penthouse at the Ritz-Carlton for an L.A. Art Show event — in the hopes that a taste of the "street" would attract deep-pocketed prospective condo buyers.
Fairey's art was sold off, but the suit says that AEG’s condo sales director wanted to keep the remaining five pieces on hand to impress prospective buyers who came in after the event. When the show's curator Bryson Strauss tried to get the remaining five pieces back, he was told that AEG had dumped it, according to the Los Angeles Times. (The Times points out that AEG is the group responsible for sending treasures from King Tut’s tomb across the globe). The suit says AEG is refusing to compensate the artists for dumping their work, when it promised to give the pieces back. Now the artists are suing AEG and asking for $150,000 for each lost piece, as well as punitive damages.
AEG offered up this statement to KPCC:
Support for LAist comes from
AEG does not agree that plaintiffs in this matter have accurately or completely set forth the facts associated with this matter. Nor does AEG agree with the legal positions taken by the plaintiffs in their lawsuit. AEG looks forward to vigorously defending itself in court.
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
-
Kevin Lacy has an obsession with documenting California’s forgotten and decaying places. -
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
This is the one time you can do this legally! -
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.”
Best of LAist