Posted on Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
New mural gracing wall of Liberty Street alley
By Joseph Tobianski
Ezra Livingston works on the mural Wednesday.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
Artist Ezra Livingston of Ann Arbor created the mural on the side wall of Pangea Piercing, 211 E. Liberty St.
The mural includes "mastafish"—a mix between a mastadon and a fish, also featured on Pangea's logo—and a creature Livingston made up, Metal Mouth
"If we had more murals in the city, I think it would take care of the graffiti problem," Livingston said while working on the mural Wednesday.
The new mural covers the side wall of Pangea Piercing.
Joseph Tobianski | AnnArbor.com
Comments
FormerMichRes
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 10:14 a.m.
Another whimsical eye-sore. The question I would have of Mr. Livingston if I were still a resident of the graffiti-blighted metropolis of Ann Arbor -- what else do you know about the origins of this crappy art/graffiti that's spray painted all over the other buildings in the city? That's a tough question which I'd guess wouldn't be asked by politically correct A2 law enforcement officials. Ann Arborites -- YOU get what YOU deserve!
doubleAs
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 2:42 a.m.
graffiti-blighted? Ann Arbor? maybe if you were talking about Ypsi or Detroit. also, this is the first of this kind of painting i have seen here. where are the other pieces/graffiti all over the other buildings? i only know of the one with all the faces but that does not seem like his style. it also seems it was painted a long time ago.
Tom Joad
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 8:27 a.m.
This artist is wearing the wrong kind of respirator mask. He should be wearing NIOSH approved organic filter respirator. You can find them at Home Depot for around $29. They have dual organic filters that capture organic paint solvent vapors. His mask is strictly for dust, not organic vapors and while wearing it he is receiving false security. The time required to spray paint requires the right safety equipment. A half-mask organic vapor respirator is so effective that he will not even detect any fumes as long as the mask is properly fitted.
bunnyabbot
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 3:27 a.m.
I don't like his style. It looks more like street graffiti than art. I like the old fur store sign better, I like the old business signs. I think they work more in a2, I don't like the woody allen face down by state street but that and the mural on the back of A2art association look much better than a bunch of red spray paint. Spray cans don't seem very ann arbor to use, surprised the enviornmentals aren't mounting a protest.
Unusual Suspect
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 1:22 a.m.
"If we had more murals in the city, I think it would take care of the graffiti problem." It's a nice thought, and points for optimism, but I disagree. If those involved in the "graffiti problem" were artists, then maybe, but they're not. They're vandals - spoiled kids who grew up with a parenting deficit. They vandalize, they don't produce art.
Wolf's Bane
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 11:19 p.m.
He is not that good. Check out Detroit sometime. Just saying..
Lisa
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 9:06 p.m.
Love this. I can't wait to see it in person. So nice to see local art.
Dog Guy
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 8:45 p.m.
I would prefer a more spiritual art form for downtown murals -- sand mandala perhaps. The "mastafish" in this new mural reminds me of the Kalachakra Mandala, but is short about 720 or 721 deities and lacks ethereal impermanence. Perhaps "mastafish" is just a reference to Huey Long.
doubleAs
Wed, Nov 7, 2012 : 2:37 a.m.
it's because the logo of the store is a "mastafish." i don't really see the fish part though.
Kyle Mattson
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 8:21 p.m.
Not sure if anyone recalls, but there was a large graffiti mural painted on the back of Grizzly Peak back in the fall of 2010 (see photos here: http://bit.ly/aadc-gpeaks) which has since been painted over in a flat green color. I'm not entirely sure on the reason, so feel free to enlighten me, but what I'm wondering is what everyone else thinks regarding Livingston's "If we had more murals in the city, I think it would take care of the graffiti problem" statement. Do you agree or disagree?
Stephen Landes
Thu, Oct 25, 2012 : 3:50 a.m.
I agree with Kai's second point -- Livingston's "work" encourages others to emulate him whether the building owner wants the decorating help or not.
Kai Petainen
Wed, Oct 24, 2012 : 9:27 p.m.
I agree. As you paint more walls, there are fewer walls to paint on. I disagree. As you paint more walls, it inspires others to be noticed for painting on walls, so they'll illegally paint walls in the hopes that they too will get noticed for their misguided "talents". Think of how some hackers get sent to jail, only to be recruited by the government/police for work later on.