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The mural of Elliott Smith and other Silver Lake musicians that was painted over.
Silver Lake takes its murals and musical legends seriously. That’s what Sugared + Bronzed, a hair removal and airbrush tanning salon, learned recently after a mural that included images of the late indie singer Elliott Smith was painted over at the chain’s new store at Sunset Boulevard and Parkman Avenue.
The Santa Monica-based chain was heavily criticized on NextDoor, and someone even set up a parody Instagram account over the issue to “give them shit and not let them erase what they’ve done,” said a response from the fake account holder.
The company responded, saying "We have absolutely heard the frustration and disappointment from the community" and noted that the previous tenant, Floyd's Barbershop, commissioned and owned the mural. The barbershop chain has also commissioned similar murals but with different imagery at some of its other stores.
Sugared + Bronzed has hired a female artist to paint a new mural that 'honors both Silver Lake and Elliott Smith."
This isn't the first time an Elliot Smith mural has been a source of controversy. A bar faced some backlash after removing part of the Figure 8 mural (considered the original Elliott Smith mural) on Sunset Boulevard."
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People can’t tell the difference between corporate marketing & organic street art…that was an eyesore commodifying our once counterculture/DIY inspired neighborhood, no one i know in the neighborhood liked that ‘mural’, so glad it’s gone!
You must not live in the neighborhood & spent any time in that area. I’ve talked to at least a dozen people in the last week that are absolutely crushed & f’n pissed the mural was painted over - by a tanning salon!! Go to Cafe Tropical across the street & you’ll hear the same disappointment & anger. Gentrification at its absolute worst. If they paint over that Joe Kelly art too - before the season starts - you’re gonna add a new level of hate from Dodger fans.
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People can’t tell the difference between corporate marketing & organic street art…that was an eyesore commodifying our once counterculture/DIY inspired neighborhood, no one i know in the neighborhood liked that ‘mural’, so glad it’s gone!
You must not live in the neighborhood & spent any time in that area. I’ve talked to at least a dozen people in the last week that are absolutely crushed & f’n pissed the mural was painted over - by a tanning salon!! Go to Cafe Tropical across the street & you’ll hear the same disappointment & anger. Gentrification at its absolute worst. If they paint over that Joe Kelly art too - before the season starts - you’re gonna add a new level of hate from Dodger fans.
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Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.