Buddha sculpture proves to be a graffiti magnet

[Liberal_in_LA]

Buddha sculpture proves to be a graffiti magnet
Phillip Matier,Andrew Ross


Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Even Buddha can't catch a break in San Francisco.

The 15-ton, three-headed copper sculpture that was unveiled in Civic Center Plaza last month for the 30th anniversary of San Francisco's sister-city relationship with Shanghai has already been defaced twice by graffiti.

Officials retained an art restorer to remove the tags, including one scrawl proclaiming, "Jesus is the one."

Now, City Hall fears that the giant Buddha may prove too inviting to booze-fueled partygoers from the nearby World Cup big screen telecasts and Gay Priders looking for a little climbing fun during their upcoming post-parade party.

So the $1.6 million sculpture, on loan from artist Zhang Huan, is in protective custody for the next three weeks, surrounded by a 6-foot-tall screened fence to deter climbers and anyone else.

Read more: http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/06/16/BAE11DVJ7B.DTL#ixzz0r1hLACBf

[davidinalameda]

1. that whole area is pretty skeezy

not surprised that people are vandalizing it

[hlthe2b]

2. they ouught to put up surveillance cameras and pass a mega

fine and mandatory jail sentence... With a big sign indicating the intent to prosecute any and all comers. I find it appalling that so many have so little regard for ANYTHING...

[Dogtown]

5. Lighten up, hlthe2b

see post #3, please

[hlthe2b]

6. Do you know how obnoxious it is when you do that to another poster?

I do find it offensive that this piece of art would be defaced. You can disagree, but I have every right to feel that way. I may be sensitive because I have seen a young couple struggle for three years to try to make something of a tiny little decrepid carriage house here in Denver, working every waking hour and using every cent they had to make it livable. It is actually sort of cute now... And two days after they re-stuccoed the outside? Assholes came around and defaced the outside with graffiti. Damn, they never even did that when it was at its worst. These two, woke up to that and both just cried, with no money left to do anything about it.

That said, I do appreciate your little pun.

[Dogtown]

7. Apparently more obnoxious than I intended.

I meant something more like, "Hey, Lighten up.".


Perhaps it's perception rather than intent wherein the boggle lies.

In which case, "Lighten up."



BTW, I bet the sculptor of that Buddha would chuckle, also.

[hlthe2b]

8. Well, Buddha would.... sadly I'm not so enlightened as yet..

and, yes, I will "lighten up..." ;)

[Dogtown]

9. I make no claims to enlightenment.

I'm certainly a benighted fool.


:hi:

[Dogtown]

3. Ho Tei

would laugh!

[Lance_Boyle]

4. Maybe religious idols aren't an appropriate way to celebrate the 'sister city' thing.

Surely there is more to Shanghai than Buddhism?

Maybe Shanghai should erect a statue of two gay dudes getting it on to celebrate their connection to San Francisco.