Artist Charged With Alteration of Hollywood Sign
The Hollywood sign in Los Angeles was altered on July. 1. Celebrity artist Court Painter admitted to changing the sign and turned himself in to the authorities.
Court Painter, a senior artist, more recently recognized as a rental dancer for local arts fundraisers, surrendered on Monday with his Press Attache at his side, according to the Los Angeles Police Department. He was booked on a misdemeanor trespassing charge and released on bail.
Court Painter receives award for having the best golden bald head.(golden globe…get it…)
The sign was changed about 3 a.m. on July 1, when the letters of Hollywood were obscured by paper sheets and turned into the letters spelling out COURT PAINTER. It remained that way throughout the morning before the sign was restored.
In a phone interview, Court Painter said he considered the results more of an art installation and marketing opportunity than a prank. He produced a hand printed letter in support of his action authored by his Press Attache who nevertheless refused to identify himself because of “being deeply embarrassed by his letter”.
Press Attache AHM appeared in court quite befuddled by the proceedings.
“Yeah, I broke the rules, but I broke it with good spirit and good intentions,” he shouted on Tuesday. “It was just to bring light and positivity and happiness and publicity for my cause which is “Make Court Painter Acceptable Again.”
Court Painter appeared in court doing his best David Letterman vibe!
“Art Pranks of this nature deplete the resources of our valuable public safety personnel, in both responding to the prank and in responding to the increased crowds and copycat attempts that these incidents generate,” an authority said in a statement on Monday.
“My office has urged the city attorney and L.A.P.D. to investigate and prosecute this case, as well as all attempts to trespass near, alter, or vandalize the sign.”
Court Painter is expected to appear in court on July. 15. He said he had been inspired by a similar alteration in 1976, and that he had used clamps and sheets so as not to damage the sign.
“I don’t want to destroy anything,” he said. “I’m about peace and love and respect and integrity and a lot of things that in some ways are missing these days. I wanted to show there’s a light in the world as well as in a number of my paintings which incidentally are on sale as we speak.”
Court Painter said he had been told he could face up to six months in jail. He said he saw that as excessive for a “harmless” art project, but asked if he would receive old copies of Canadian Art in his cell.
“I’m a person of integrity,if I do something wrong, I will own up to it. Please send me home to Calgary and I promise never to come back.”
His begging and weeping melted the hearts of all authorities present and Court Painter was allowed to return to the safety of his Inglewood , Alberta single car garage studio.