Chicago sanitation crews painted over four high-profile murals in the past year. In response, Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd, has introduced a plan to protect the city’s street art.
As part of a campaign to clean up a proposed site for Amazon’s second headquarters, sanitation workers recently painted over a piece by French street artist Blek le Rat outside the Cards Against Humanity building. That mural and others in the area were mistaken for unwanted graffiti.
Hopkins’ plan would create a registry for protected murals on private and public property.
Alderman Hopkins joins the Morning Shift to discuss his plan. Also joining us is artist Eddie Alvarado to talk about the importance of public art and why he creates it.
Guest:
- Ald. Brian Hopkins, 2nd
- Artist Eddie Alvarado
Learn more:
Could Chicago Become U.S. ‘Capital Of Street Art’? After Embarrassing Mistakes, Plan To Save Murals Emerges (Block Club Chicago)
Cards Against Humanity backs plan to save murals, make Chicago America’s street art capital (Chicago Tribune)
New Hebru Brantley Mural Coming To Wall Where One Of His Earliest Works Was Accidentally Removed By City (Block Club Chicago)