Comments on: Mosaic artist cast in spotlight

By: GCV

GCV — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:21:06 +0000

As an avid photographer, I take delight in the surprises I find around every corner when I travel to Europe. I am not religious, not even in the slightest degree, but I am not offended by the religious symbols on much of this art. I am sure that the Europeans appreaciate the money I bring to Europe when I travel there to find subjects to photograph.

I have yet found a reason to photograph a gray wall.

By: My Perspective

My Perspective — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 23:51:48 +0000

With regard to Ms. Varela’s comment,

As a person who likes this piece of art, I am sorry that image is offensive to you. Although I do not know the artist, I believe that those of us, who like this mosaic, wish you and your faith no disrespect, nor do we wish any disrespect to people of other religions.

Also, I was interested to learn about some of the symbols that you mentioned that are shown in the mosaic, and I think that this may be an opportunity for everyone to gain greater appreciation for the diversity of interpretations of various images and the symbols that you mention in your post.

I think that your discussion is an interesting one since it has been going on in the Catholic faith for many years. I am reminded of the response to Caravaggio’s painting from 1606, "Death of a Virgin," which was much more controversial than this piece. Thank you for making me and other people in Encinitas aware of your point of view and for taking the time to discuss a different interpretation of these symbols and what they mean to you.

If you would also like an apology from one who still likes the piece, I humbly and respectfully offer mine.

By: Socorro Varela

Socorro Varela — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 16:41:49 +0000

I happened to catch a report you aired on KCAL9 recently on the graffiti "ART" depicting a surfing Virgin Mary attired in the Aztec image we venerate as "La Virgen de Guadalupe". You liberals need to understand just how much in poor taste and offensive both the image and your liberal spin on it is to a catholic like myself. Your ignorance showed clearly in the manner you reported this insult. First of all Mary in this image, is dressed in the attire of Aztec royalty and she is clearly pregnant with my Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ. With this image God chose to bring His beloved SON to the new world. If you look at any image of the Virgen de Guadalupe, you will clearly see that a black ribbon (a cinta) is tied around her abdomen. This is a clear indication of pregnancy. The Spaniards dubbed it as being "EN CINTA" or pregnant. It is offensive that you would even consider airing this type of levity with the Blessed Mother. How dare you? Why not put on the air a painting of a Jewish holocaust victim’s emaciated body surfing? Or how about a surfing Mohammed? Why is my Catholic faith fare game for this so called "art" making light of my beliefs but you would not dare make levity with what is sacred to the Jews or the Muslims? Shame on you. While my catholic faith was losing countless millions of members in Europe due to the misleading heresies of Henry VIII, Martin Luther and John Calvin, my Catholic Faith was gaining millions of new converts in the New World through the intercession of Mary under the title and Image you and that ignorant "artist" profaned. You owe Catholics an apology.

Socorro Varela
Los Angeles, CA.

By: Paul Moeller

Paul Moeller — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:25:13 +0000

Isn’t there a an arts commission that makes decisions about funding and placement of public art? What if the city turned this over to them, as if it was a ‘proposal’? If they agree that it is worthy of remaining on public property… then officially ‘sanction’ it, and let it stay. I absolutely love this artwork, and think that the artist, Mark Patterson, has done a service to the public, not only by giving us this amazing work of art, but also by sparking a lively, insightful and welcome discussion about public art. Additionally, I believe that Mr. Patterson should be required to pay a not-insignificent fine – as a penalty for his illegal actions, and to caution other aspiring guerilla artists (especially those without Mr. Patterson’s talent and financial resources) from attempting something similar. I’m sure that ultimately, the fine would be underwritten by admirers of this work … yet this way the city leaders who are concerned about enabling copycat artistic endeavors can rightfully say that they’ve addressed two sides of this issue, and crafted a laudable solution.

By: The Whale

The Whale — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 22:56:38 +0000

This is Public Art, created by a Public Artist and installed on Public Property. Only the city council has no connection here. Now if people in california would get that their state has been turned into a leftist police state, with government control of everything, then the Artist will have done his job….

By: Mike of Encinitas

Mike of Encinitas — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:17:03 +0000

It would be just like knuckleheads named Stocks and Bonds to prosecute an artist. This would give Encinitas some very adverse publicity completely contrary to the favorable notoriety that the "Surfing Madonna" has brought to the city.
If this is the type of mentality that currently governs Encinitas, then it is time for a change to some people who really embody the spirit of the people of Encinitas and Stocks and Bonds can move to a more accountant oriented community like Carlsbad where the only public art is "Bank lobby Art".

By: ProtectCommunityChar

ProtectCommunityChar — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 17:11:14 +0000

This Madonna has become an iconic image to many of us who live in Encinitas. It has individual meaning to every person.

For those who do not have a religion, or who have a different religion like I do, I am here to plead for tolerance, if you, like some of the bloggers, find the religious subject matter or the Guadalupe image distateful.

From the artist’s vision, this is about saving the ocean more than anything else. Why can’t we just let people enjoy this for what it is, and demonstrate that Encinitas is filled with people who are respectful of diverse views? We have the Self Realization Fellowship on 101, which to some who do not know about the faith or know the people who are members of the group, may have a lot of misperceptions about who they are and what they stand for.

What it means to me is that there are still some who are opposed to City Hall’s vision of converting Encinitas from "The Flower Capital of the World," into a maze of walled complexes like developers have been attempting to do for some time. Let’s cherish the artistic expressions and community love of nature that draws people to Encinitas in the first place!

By: JudithJuditha

JudithJuditha — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 15:05:23 +0000

This is an amazing piece of art work! The town is so fortunate to have it. Thank you Mark. The only one who would want it down is the opposite of goodness! We are waiting breathlessly for prints and posters and classy t shirts to be made so we can buy them! We are in Florida! Yes, this is certainly going global! She is that beautiful and miraculous!

By: 3rd gen Encinitas

3rd gen Encinitas — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 02:37:18 +0000

Graffiti? How in the heck could you say the douche? It is amazing to look at (and I am not religious) either. The Kook is the real eye sore. Oh yeah..you must me one of those who only wears black and hates all artwork

By: Bill Cavanaugh

Bill Cavanaugh — Sat, 11 Jun 2011 00:34:26 +0000

Great work of art……City should pay Mark Patterson for making Encinitas an internationaly know city as this Surfing Madonna story has gone world wide. But I guess some people would rather look at an ugly blank concrete wall.