Occupy L.A. Wants Its Octopus Back

By Dennis Romero Fri., Feb. 3 2012 at 1:15 PM

The Occupy octopus.

Occupy L.A. wants its murals back.

Local leaders of the 99 percenter movement sent a letter to the city Department of Cultural Affairs asking for it to return the artwork, including a 24-by-16 piece depicting a federal reserve bank as an evil octopus, which was painted during the two-month occupation of the City Hall lawn.

So far, it appears, the city ain't budging:

Department of Cultural Affairs General Manager Olga Garay told City News Service that the goal of the city and Occupy is the same -- to preserve the work.

You can understand, however, why occupiers are wary. Last month the department asked for proposals from the public regarding ways to take possession and display the art. The deadline for the ideas is was last Monday, and none came in.

Occupy writes that the city "misunderstands the true purpose and value'' of the pieces:

By naming them 'artifact,' you describe our once-living art as lifeless and attempt to frame our movement as such. We assure you that the occupation is very much alive and well.

Garay has since tried to play a little Kumbaya, saying:

I don't think there is an intrinsic difference in what the folks at the Occupy L.A. Movement want and what we're trying to do.

She said she's willing to meet with Occupy but would ultimately send the decision regarding the artwork's fate to ... Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa:

I think we can solve this.

[With reporting from City News Service / @dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

Tags:

art, City Hall, mural, Occupy, Occupy L.A., octopus

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Cliff Chesley

I thought all this jargon was BS until I had my DVD's stolen, and my laptop damaged by "TSA, LAPD" What was the result. Nothing. Nobody heard a thing! They have the power to do what ever they want. That includes stealing your art!

Travis

It is a commercial advertising that a commercial is coming out. It's a teaser, and it's completely different footage than what's going to be played on the Super Bowl

Christopher Neal

Take another bong hit.

Travis

It's nice that the city understands the importance of preserving this art. Now they should give it to the community they stole it from so we can preserve it.

Christopher Neal

Travis if this item has been stolen from you I suggest you report it to the LAPD.

Travis

Mÿ bëst friëñd's äüñt mäkës $43 ëvërÿ höür öñ thë läptöp. Shë häs bëëñ öüt öf ä jöb för 7 möñths büt läst möñth hër päÿchëck wäs $1667 jüst wörkiñg öñ thë läptöp för ä fëw höürs. Gö tö this wëb sitë äñd rëäd mörë.... LazyCash10.com

Travis

Mÿ cö-wörkër's stëp-sistër mäkës $37/höür öñ thë läptöp. Shë häs bëëñ läid öff för 9 möñths büt läst möñth hër päÿchëck wäs $2057 jüst wörkiñg öñ thë läptöp för ä fëw höürs. Rëäd mörë öñ this wëb sitë.... LazyCash10.com

Anonymous

i read somewhere that it has already been heavily damaged by taggers spray painting over it

Sarah Belknap

Occupiers created this work, and intended it to be community property. What do you call it when someone takes something belonging to you without your permission and won't return it?

It's nice that the city understands the importance of preserving this art. Now they should give it to the community they stole it from so we can preserve it.

Christopher Neal

What makes you think the plywood belongs to you? It does not. You are delusional. "Give it to the community they stole it from?" Get real, sarah. Occupiers just love to play victims. Call the LAPD if you think it was stolen. Thought so.