Visual Integrity: Reassigned
by Pasadena Adjacent
Dear Kenny Bywater,
Thank you so very much for suggesting that the original artwork “Ceasar” could use a “reincarnation.” Furthermore, that your vast skill with a paint trowel, qualified YOU to make that happen. Thank you City of Los Angeles for NOT informing us of the true intent of your Lacy Street Shelter expansion efforts as regards our mural. This even though you had our names and address. Thank you Kent Twitchel’s attorney, whom we went to in order to seek out some sort of justice. Although knowingly regongnizing the illegalitys of this act, you made it clear that the only fight you were willing to put your dog in, was one that filled your pockets. Due to your efforts, Kent Twitchel whom we admire, got a 1/4 of a million settlement for the City destruction of the Ed Ruche mural. Lets talk; our “Ceasar” could be repainted for a fraction of that amount. $40,000.00 sound good? We’re agreeable that way. You have our names. We still have a pulse. Make friends with Uncle Google. Call us.
Before: (feel free to enlarge) Done in the “Los Angeles Fine Art Squad” style using illusion and reflection. Ceasar, completed in 1988, is a trompe l’oeil image of a beat up “yesteryear” styled billboard. Complete with cast shadows, illusion of the bird being built outside of the billboard frame, rippling metal panels, nail holes and rust stains. The background depicted behind the billboard, is the connector ramp between Interstate 5 and the Pasadena Parkway.
After: (dare to enlarge) In this 2006 reincarnation, the electrical outdoor spotlights have been removed. All trompe l’oeil illusion eliminated. A moody black pall dominates the composition. Subtlety in the guise of creating volume, has been lost. The cat appears to be a victim of electrical shock. Yup, karma has dictated that this masterpiece return as a “dog”.
So lets go look at the dogs. With Pat Morrison; she was there too
I think this little fellow would be perfect for the Chieftess. Half golden retriever and half chow. “Lady” owner release
I like dogs with pointy ears and faces. She’s a year old cattle dog sort. Owner release. Bellis?
Pasadena Adjacent 
Our names in the right of the first photo, is all that’s left of original mural.
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Yeah, “reincarnation” looks like shit.
Our Editor Responds: you sound just like Mr V
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You go, girl; because it kills me.
Our Editor Responds: Considering the video has a count of four visitors (me) it appears to be so. It’s a beautiful boxer who I have no doubt will be leaving with a heart beat.
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Seriously??? They “restored” that beautiful piece into “that”??? Are you sure that’s not just a photoshop illusion??? I can’t believe anyone would have the audacity to alter such a thing in such a way…
Our Editor Responds: nononono silly, look at the dog named Lady. She’s 3 and a 1/2. 1/2 Golden 1/2 chow. Sweet and unusual red color, owner release
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I didn’t dare enlarge – the “after” picture is hideous…What disgraceful and insulting behaviour! Damn city hall…
Our Editor Responds: Do enlarge. Actually I’ve been aware of this for few years now. The only reason I was forced to view it was because the parking lot of the shelter was full and we had to park on the street across from the mural.
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He did something bad, it will come back to haunt him in his next life.
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I had to come back and say, I was so shocked to see this that I just said the first thing to come into my head. This is a travesty, I wish I could make it go away.
Our Editor Responds: Actually, I agreed with your first comment. Bad Karma. Could they not have come to us first to freshen up or restore our mural?
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Ugh. That’s awful! Especially what he did to that cat. What a shame. Can you find another lawyer?
Our Editor Responds: You raise an interesting point. We are such a small nitche banging up against a monstrous apparatus (government). Then the statute of limitations. Are we past it? I don’t know. Do we even have the fortitude for the log haul?
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Hey, I think Tommy needs a sister.
Our Editor Responds: May I suggest the cattle dog. She’s an owner release. She’s been there awhile now. It must mean they think they can move her. Still.. tick tick
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Lady is beautiful. I love the dogs and want all.
Our Editor Responds: She is. To create the two murals at the shelter required over three months on a daily basis; Sundays off. It was an education. One that left me with great admiration for the shelter workers.
there is an excellent movie with John Malkovich called “Disgrace” that touched on the subject.
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This is why I can not visit a shelter. Cute dogs who want to go home with me. I love pointy faces & ears on dogs too as you can see. Rego (Ibizan Hound) 1992-2004
Mural restorer or destroyer? Do you want to go and eradicate your names from what was a beautifully nuanced mural? A dead bird, and a mutant cat held by a cadaver. Ugh. What a world
Our Editor Responds: I plan to keep our names up there. Without the smoking gun, I don’t think anyone would believe it. btw: Rego was regal.
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That’s so weird. I don’t understand why they did it. Why did they do it? There’s just no comparison. It’s like…like having Suzanne Somers replace Maggie Smith.
I wish we could have all the dogs. Thank you for going to the shelter.
Our Editor Responds: “Why did they do it?” so much more of an effective line then “You talkin to me” (it’s from Planet of the Apes, yes?)
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I’m njoying your after & before fotos. You’ve giving me an idea.
And the dogs. The Dogs! Your blog just gets getting better all the time.
Curious also if the madame’s Havashim or Grandmaphone ever come around to comment anymore? Are those lil old ladies still around Pasadena? :P
Our Editor Responds: The little old lady from Pasadena has morphed into super hero Patrizzi Intergalactica! environmental activist and protector of the furry, leafy and feathery. We salute her efforts!
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Tommy really *does* want a sister. I want one for him too. The cats – not so much.
I really hope all these pooches get adopted. It’s painful to think of the alternative.
I heard LA County Animal Control has a new web site – and that it sucks, at least according to quite a few people in the rescue community. I haven’t had a chance to look at it but I wouldn’t be surprised, in light of this mural catastrophe.
Our Editor Responds: To bad about the website. I find most animal sites to be run on really out-dated web programs. Good news is that the shelter is very active about running adoption days. Bad news is that the dogs I featured were owner release which speaks to a bad economy. I sure like that pointy face dog (hope he gets/got lucky).
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It’s hard to believe the big “THEY” can just do that–even if the quality were similar, which it’s not. Do they have an argument or are they just lording their attorneys, power, and budget over you?
Not to start a whole new topic, but is the kind of “big government” that has the Tea Partiers in a snit? Or do they just want no taxes along with magical roads, sewers, and first-rate education that appear by magic–er, that is, by the will of the Lord.
Our Editor Responds: Another hold up at the O.K. Adjacent? Sorry. Legally they’re required to inform us of the future destruction of our mural, so that we can get photos or spend a million dollars to pay a conservator to lift it off the wall and store it. They did that; inform us. And it was deceptive. That wall wasn’t being touched in the expansion. Therefor no need to remove the mural (lie one) I’ve never seen a city agency go forth and hire someone ELSE to re-interpret another artist’ work. They should have come to us and Cultural Affairs. Unfortunatly this commission was right before the city created the Cultural Affairs Department so we may have fallen between the cracks
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What the hell? The cat in the refurbished mural looks crazy! The changes just don’t make sense!
Our Editor Responds: Beloved Tess, Cat among cats, victim of shock treatment, heh
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Since this has come up, I have seen some other work by Kenny Bywater. He’s good at gorilla street Banksy kind of stuff. This was all wrong for him. No wonder it’s so hideous.
He should have started fresh on a different spot. Maybe an unexpected corner of the building or something more in line with his style.
I dare Mr. V to go over and paint a big basket of puppies over it.
Our Editor Responds: I interviewed Mr V on the matter. His response (in low flat non inflective tone) “I don’t ever want to meet him” puppies will not follow.
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I’d love the doggie you suggest for me – being a heeler, it’ll be very intelligent. But how could an owner give a dog to a kill “shelter.”? (what a euphemism that is!!) When I grew up we moved on every few years (Army life) and my Mum always found caring homes for our dogs and cats. Abby’s owner put her on Craig’s list and put a lot of effort into persuading me to take her. He even offered to bring her to Pasadena from Wrightwood so I could see her. I declined (“Not practical to take on another dog, said my husband”) (He was right – it’s darned expensive to get petsitters when we go to England). But her owner, Scott, kept begging me to see what she looked like and of course once I got to Wrightwood, it was love at first sight.
Have you seen the movie “Year of the Dog.” ? Comedy with Maggie Gyllenhall filmed in Altadena/Pasadena about rescuing dogs.
Our Editor Responds: When the economy takes a dive, you see it in the shelters. I have a cousin that left all the families animals behind when they took off in the middle of the night. If you think back, when I was a kid, dogs were kept in the backyard (usually muts) teeth cleaning? unheard of.
Here’s a photo of my favorite dog that ever was. India (born in the late 70’s). 1/2 Queensland Healer and 1/2 Australian Shepherd. If you walk the lower Arroyo on weekend mornings you probably know the owner. Julie (blonde 60) and friend Kathy with Australian Shepherd
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I still just can’t understand the reasoning behind taking someone elses work and painting over it in your own style…in the guise of restoration…Blows my mind!!!
Our Editor Responds: and it’s not like the person in charge of the shelter at that time was nieve to the “percentage for art process” They were sitting in as discussions were taking place for the next artist that would be placing work in the new addition. They certainly KNEW enough to write “the letter” their legal obligation. What made them think they could do with our mural, what they chose afterwards? they could have requested that some of that percentage went into restoration. I think because this guy is a street artist he did it for free to get “street cred” in a public place. When Vic went inside to complain, they got awfully defensive.
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I looked for the trailer, Bellis. (It’s Molly Shannon and a great cast.) I enjoyed the video so much I forgot to notice if I recognized Pasadena.
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This is appalling, so strange it really seems unbelievable.
Our Editor Responds: Welcome back
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This has bothered me for years. I pass by this mangling of a mural regularly and consistently get a taste of bile in my mouth.
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I have to admit that I am a little confused about what happened and who got the money. If they are supposedly updating someone’s mural, do they need the artist’s permission? Or do you basically sign away your rights once you’re done. That seems unfair. As for the dogs, you know I’d take one, but then my husband would leave me and I really can’t afford to live on my part-time lecturer salary. Plus, he is very good at keeping our lives organized, while I am just a mere plastic bag in the wind and can hardly be counted on to even update my blog.
Our Editor Explains: I Don’t blame you.
If the city has to destroy a mural, they are legally responsible to inform you by letter. They did this under but the point was/is they didn’t destroy it because of expansion as the letter stated. They had no right to allow someone to come in and paint over an original artwork. I’ve never seen this done before EVER!!
btw: your the goddess of self depreciating humor
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This, my dear, is very depressing. I am really sorry for this kind of loss–it is incomprehensible to me.
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The first mural is wonderful! The illusion of the bird being built outside of the billboard frame is just amazing!
Like Des wrote, it is incomprehensible to me too.
Love the dogs!
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