What do you think of this mural? It has become a bit of a controversy in Sarasota. As part of the Chalk Festival, an international artist, simply known as MTO, agreed to do some work elsewhere, including on this building where the Tube Dude company is based. It happens to be located in a transitional part of town and many people immediately were incensed with the message 'Fast Life' and the hands displaying what appear to be a gang symbol. To make it more palatable, a local artist connected with the festival added the words "It's A ..... Let Love Express It'. Well, that seemed to attract even more attention (and controversy). So, the building owner announced that in the spirit of not offending the community, he would paint over the mural within 72 hours. And....that's when the other side came forward and pleaded for it to stay. According to news reports, the owner now says it will remain for the next month as he tries to figure out how to make it acceptable for all. I'll keep you posted.
7 comments:
What the owner of Tube Dude said, I was there the day that the mural was scheduled to be painted over snapping pictures and talking to some of the others that showed up, was that he was planning to go door to door in the surrounding neighborhood to see what the opinion of the piece was.
I hope he does. I love the mural and hope that it stays. I think too much is being interpreted in the meaning of "Fast Life" and that the most negative connotation is being taken instead of how it can be used in a positive way.
I saw somewhere, on some news report, that MTO got his inspiration for the hands and the Fast Life tattoo from a local who stated that his own Fast Life tattoo has no gang affiliation but serves as a reminder that life is short and you have to enjoy every minute you got.
I don't find it controversial personally but I applaud the owner for being concerned about how his neighbors are perceiving it. I wouldn't want to offend any of my neighbors, even though I may have different standards or belief system than they do.
I think it's really cool, however, not being able to see the surrounding area it's in (what it faces or is next to), I can't really make a complete judgement. If it was across the street from a church or a nice restaurant, I would say perhaps it's not appropriate, but in a more light industrial area (auto parts, gas stations etc) I would say it would be fine. JMO of course.
I can't really say I like the gang symbol, but I really like free expression. Nice artwork!
The art work is great... I'm not up on my gang signs, so no comment there. ;-) I do like that the building owner is really concerned & trying to work with folks - I hope this resolves to satisfaction!
I am an old conservative fart. You can fill in what I think while I go get something to eat.
Don't know what to say. Don't much like it and I think there might be other, more interesting and fun ways to express the notion that life flies by and we should live each moment to the fullest..
But, what the heck do I know and I don't live there and some people are going to be "incensed" by just about everything...except of course the notion that 45 million Americans are without health care, that we're in the middle of a depression...etc., ec.
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