"Whaling Wall 82," or "Ocean Life," an iconic 82-foot high mural in Downtown Dallas, is being painted over to make way for a FIFA advertisement, right before Dallas hosts nine World Cup games, more than any other host city.
The mural, gifted to the city in 1999 by conservationist and artist Robert Wyland, portrays dolphins and whales swimming around the Akard Street building. Although the mural has faded with time and has spent years on and off covered by posters and other advertisements, many are shocked it is being permanently replaced in preparation for the World Cup, which only lasts 39 days.
Last week, locals began to notice parts of the mural being painted over. Currently, the whales are fading behind the new dark blue paint.
"Wait why are they covering it up :(," one user posted on TikTok.
Both the city of Dallas and FIFA have received backlash over the decision to replace a Dallas icon. Slate Asset Management, the Toronto-based owner of 505 N. Akard, is also to blame for allowing the mural on their building to be painted over.
In an interview with Fox 4, Wyland shared he was not consulted prior to the repainting of his art, despite the city of Dallas' claims. The artist shared he is considering suing the city.
"They picked the wrong artist," Wyland told Fox 4. "I can tell you that. I am going to go after them and go after them hard. I am going to ask the community of Dallas to stay with me. We are going to protect the other art in Dallas."
The controversy has spread to a national level, with The New York Times covering the story. Due to the widespread interest in the story, Wyland may be able to use the "recognized stature" clause of the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) to fight the city of Dallas for failing to receive consent from the artist to destroy his work.
The survival of Wyland's works in other cities, such as Orland and Seattle, reflect the impact of his work.
The repainting raises questions of the importance of artistry and expression as opposed to commercial interests.
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