Photo Release -- U.S. Outdoor Set to Harpoon Landmark Whale Mural with Giant Advertisement

Decision today at 5:30 pm


DETROIT, May 11, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- One of Detroit's most famous public art landmarks is once again threatened with extinction. U.S. Outdoor, whose bid to cover a 10-story whale mural across from Comerica Park with a giant advertisement failed when its client, General Motors, bowed to public pressure, is searching for a new corporate client to post an advertisement over the mural of two humpback whales.

A photo accompanying this release is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1612

The 108-foot-high mural depicting a family of humpback whales was painted by marine life artist Wyland on the side of the Broderick Tower as a gift to the city of Detroit in 1997 -- at a time when the city was actively trying to beautify its historic areas. The mural was number 76 in the artist's quest to paint 100 such works of art around the world. Despite a city ordinance (2299) banning billboards within the central city, a judge recently upheld the Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals decision to grant the advertising agency's request to cover the mural. The decision will be finalized at 5:30 p.m. in a vote by the city's Historic Commission, the last regulatory hurdle in the process. The vote will clear the way for corporate clients to place their giant advertising over the mural for up to 30 months. In its filing with the city, U.S. Outdoor did not disclose whether a corporate client had already been secured. In November, General Motors withdrew its plan to advertise its Pontiac G-6 on a billboard over the mural in downtown Detroit, following tremendous public outcry. The mural is seen beyond the right-field of Comerica Park, the home of the Detroit Tigers. Wyland likened the pending destruction of the mural to covering the famed "Spirit of Detroit" sculpture with a billboard and "destroying the integrity of the art."

"Thousands of people spoke out on this last year and were near unanimous in opposing covering the mural," the artist said. "This sets a precedent that clearly public opinion doesn't matter, neither does the preservation of art in our communities. It's very apparent now that public art throughout America is in jeopardy."

Wyland cited the pending decision as a blatant infringement of the visual artist's rights act (VARA), a law that protects visual artwork that is incorporated into a structure or building. The law has never been put to a test, but the artist says he will fight any decision to obliterate or obscure the artwork. "The board of zoning appeals knows they can't legally remove the mural under VARA," Wyland added, "so they are trying to be sneaky and drape a sign over it. What is the point of art if you can't see it? This decision will put public art everywhere at risk."

The photo is also available at NewsCom, www.newscom.com, as well as via AP PhotoExpress



            
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