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The Immovable Surfing Madonna Taken Down in 2-Hrs Unharmed

SACRAMENTO BEE
By Associated Press
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CALIFORNIA - Crews have removed the popular but illegal Surfing Madonna mosaic from the wall of a railroad bridge underpass near San Diego. The San Diego Union-Tribune reports the removal began at 9 p.m. Wednesday and was completed about two hours later. Patterson says the piece was not damaged when it was taken down. [The artist, Mark] Patterson says he will now focus on finding a permanent home for the Madonna. [link]
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Ernest said…
I am grateful that Mark Patterson, the artist, created and put up the Surfing Madonna, and while the city council's response was regretful, it was expected. All parties were doing their respective jobs. The Artist's however was the more important. He raised the issue of the power of religious art; the role of public art; and the need to "Save the Ocean." Well done, Mark Patterson! http://dld.bz/aeBP3
Sun Jun 26, 07:31:00 AM EDT
Susie Karamoto, Encinitas said…
I find it difficult to believe a person of Mark Patterson’s maturity and intelligence did not know: 1) you cannot put up a sign, artwork, etc., on government property without approval; and 2) the Lady of Guadalupe (the Madonna) is construed as a religious figure. There has been so much coverage about the appropriateness of religious figures and items on government property over the years that it beggars the mind that Patterson would have been unaware of this sensitive issue.

Patterson says that the message is “not religious; it’s to save the ocean.” If it is not religious, why did he place a religious icon into his mosaic?

I am aware that I am in the minority about the placement of the artwork; I find it very pretty and obviously Patterson put many hours of planning and effort into it. I am sure his many supporters will help him, not only with his expenses, but in finding a more appropriate place for his artwork on private property but still visible to the public.
Mon Jun 27, 07:36:00 AM EDT
Ted O’Connor, Poway said…
The last government I saw that resembled the august body in Encinitas was in the Marx Brothers movie “Duck Soup.” However, the leaders of Freedonia never had to deal with an issue as profound as that of a free gift of a wonderful work of art. Even the writers of a Marx Brothers comedy could not have envisioned a villain as foolish and venal as the village fathers of Encinitas. Guess they did not want anything to detract from their tacky main street junk shops and the prestigious flea market that have made Encinitas famous.
Mon Jun 27, 07:37:00 AM EDT
Don Snyder, Oceanside said…
I can’t understand what the fuss is about. Artist Mark Patterson put the thing up illegally. No matter what the reason was, it should have been taken down. All the time it took to do this was wasted by the city of Encinitas. It’s graffiti. Sure, this graffiti is a lot prettier than most. But it’s still illegal.
Mon Jun 27, 07:38:00 AM EDT
Virginia Redman, Encinitas said…
We are very grateful for the Union Tribune editorial board’s ongoing, eloquent support of the Surfing Madonna mosaic (“Common sense for Encinitas,” June 10, and “The wipeout of the Surfing Madonna,” June 23). We are hopeful that she will reappear in Encinitas very soon.
Mon Jun 27, 07:39:00 AM EDT
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