Encinitas Street Art – When It Rains, It Pours

We’ve all been hearing about horrible storms and tornados, and it’s raining here, too. But, it isn’t raining from the sky, for me it has been raining street art.

A few weeks ago, I reported on the Surfing Madonna, the jewel of Encinitas who appeared magically overnight. Quite curious, really. The Surfing Madonna appeared overnight—as a piece of stealth art that some actually call a miracle. The Surfing Madonna has been such a hot topic that She has been featured on NPR. In fact, I drove by that corner four times over the weekend, and each time there was at least one person taking a photo or laying flowers. But, alas, the city of Encinitas wants Her down (caps intentional)--calling Surfing Madonna ‘graffiti’ which, of course, is illegal. 

Interesting that the city of Encinitas called this graffiti (despite the fact that it probably meets the textbook definition). Just a few weeks ago, I went to an exhibit at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Los Angeles called “Art in the Streets” that was all about graffiti as street art. If there is a multi-million dollar exhibit featuring stealth art, does that validate it as a recognized and respected art form?

The “Art in the Streets” exhibit had work by such famous artists as Keith Haring, Swoon, Neck Face, Shepard Fairey, and Banksy. Now, even if you do not know much about street art, I know you are familiar with Shepard Fairey. He’s the artist who created the now famous red, white, and blue Barack Obama HOPE poster. In any case, between that exhibit and the Surfing Madonna, it was raining street art. And then I watched a movie entitled Exit Through the Gift Shop. It’s also about street art. So, by this time it is pouring street art. 

I’m not sure what will happen to our Surfing Madonna in Encinitas. But, if you want to live near the site where She once was, check out the interactive map below. There you can view homes for sale in Encinitas in the immediate vicinity of the Surfing Madonna. And, if you live in Los Angeles or are going there any time soon, try to check out the “Art in the Streets” Exhibit which runs through August 8, 2011 at The Geffen Contemporary @ MOCA.