DETROIT, Nov. 10, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- One of Detroit's most famous landmarks of public art may soon find itself buried beneath a sign promoting the newest product from General Motors. In defiance of a city ordinance banning billboards in historic areas of the city, the Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals on Friday will grant an Oregon advertising agency's request to cover one of renowned marine life artist Wyland's Whaling Walls with a gigantic advertisement.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=1297
The 108-foot-high mural depicting a family of humpback whales was painted by the artist 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 at 10 Witherall, across from Comerica Park, was number 76 in the artist's quest to paint 100 such works of art around the world.
Wyland likened the destruction of the mural -- which would be obscured by a gigantic "supergraphic" from General Motors -- to covering the famed "Spirit of Detroit" sculpture with a billboard and "destroying the integrity of the art".
"This mural has tremendous meaning for me, my family, and people throughout Michigan," said Wyland, a Detroit native, who attended the city's Center for Creative Studies. "It was painted during an eight-city mural tour of the Great Lakes, with thousands of kids from all over the Detroit area looking on. If the city of Detroit allows this, it will set a precedent that no public art is safe from advertising."
In addition to violating a ban on billboards in certain historic areas of Detroit, the BZA's decision violates the visual artist's rights act (VARA), a law that protects visual artwork that is incorporated into a structure or building. "The board of zoning appeals know they can't legally remove the mural under VARA," Wyland added, "so they are trying to be sneaky and drape a sign over it."
