'Surfing Madonna' mosaic draws attention in Encinitas
A piece of guerrilla art dubbed the "Surfing Madonna" is drawing public attention and causing political consternation in the northern San Diego County suburb of Encinitas.
The 10-foot-square, stained-glass mosaic showing Our Lady of Guadalupe riding a surfboard, with a portrayal of St. Juan Diego on the board's nose, appeared mysteriously on a wall supporting a train bridge over Encinitas Boulevard, just two blocks from Moonlight Beach.
Witnesses say they remember seeing young men in hardhats installing the brightly colored mosaic, which appears to be affixed to plaster board that has been glued to the wall.
The mosaic is drawing a steady stream of the curious, cameras at the ready. The message "Save the Ocean" appears vertically on the left side of the mosaic.
Encinitas city officials say they're are not sure what to do.
Should the Sheriff's Department be assigned to find the renegade artists and cite them for defacing public property? Should city workers just remove the mosaic and trash it? Should the local businesses that have offered to buy the mosaic be allowed to do so, and, if so, which business?
A legal opinion is being sought before any moves are made, officials said.
-- Tony Perry in Encinitas
Photo: A man takes in the "Surfing Madonna." Credit: Fox 5 / San Diego
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Mary rocks. Keep it.
Posted by: barking | May 01, 2011 at 03:02 PM
LEAVE IT
Posted by: Surf God | May 01, 2011 at 03:44 PM
No reason to be too hasty.
What surprises me is that some artist essentially donated an artwork that reflects a lot of personal time and thought. While I'm not a Christian, it could be that many local Christians might be stoked with the work. Should the city elect for its removal, it's my thought is that they could auction it off to the highest bidder.
Posted by: steve chandler | May 01, 2011 at 06:17 PM
Hint to attorneys: It's physical evidence of criminal activity.
Posted by: It's evidence | May 01, 2011 at 06:21 PM
1. Separation of church and state. This is public land.
2. It's only art if you call it art and graffiti if you don't like the way it looks; pretty subjective.
Tear it down.
Posted by: Mark | May 01, 2011 at 06:24 PM
Only in California.
Posted by: Bill Simpson | May 01, 2011 at 06:53 PM
I like it and i am agnostic , so leave it. we need to save our oceans and it's inhabitants.
Posted by: slaughterhouse | May 01, 2011 at 07:02 PM
I like it , we all need the reminder. SAVE THE OCEAN
Posted by: Mary Volz | May 01, 2011 at 07:23 PM
What...Mary can't surf?
Posted by: Kittybarfola | May 01, 2011 at 07:31 PM
Keep it. What's the harm?
Posted by: democrab | May 01, 2011 at 07:34 PM
This is so awesome. Charlie don't surf, but Mary should.
Posted by: OCMEGA | May 01, 2011 at 08:08 PM
Normally I frown on depictions of OLG that aren't church related but this is actually cool in my eyes. It has my blessing. lol. Love it, accept it, be open to it, keep it!
Posted by: Susy Barrientos | May 01, 2011 at 08:17 PM
Leave it -- good statement, beautiful mural!
Posted by: Spaceechik | May 01, 2011 at 08:24 PM
Virgin of Guadalupe is a sacred image for mexicans even for those that are not religious. In Mexico City people use to put altars on the streets to avoid trash and drunks on their streets. Unfortunately the respect for these altars is long gone. Now you can see these beautiful ladies just being the guardians of the trash.
But I think this mosaic has similar intentions.
Posted by: chilangelina | May 01, 2011 at 08:27 PM
Who knew Mary was a goofyfoot?
I think it's beautiful.
Posted by: Dave Smith | May 01, 2011 at 08:28 PM
Its beautiful and interesting. Leave it.
Posted by: California Girl | May 01, 2011 at 09:07 PM
If no one wants it I want to buy it !
Posted by: Ricardo | May 01, 2011 at 09:08 PM
What's the problem again? Leave it.
Posted by: EbolaSandwich | May 02, 2011 at 12:26 AM
keep it! i grew up there and would have loved to see that!!
Posted by: elsa | May 02, 2011 at 01:50 AM
Unlike common graffiti, it's a rather nice piece of art. Leave it where it is.
Posted by: Brian | May 02, 2011 at 02:15 AM
Leave it. A nice California thing...
Posted by: Krugman | May 02, 2011 at 04:37 AM
Maybe it is a Miracle? The Black Madonna of Montserrat in Spain was anonymously placed along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela and has been venerated for over a thousand years. They should leave the surfing Madonna up at least long enough up long enough the see if she does something funky like the weeping Madonna of Syracuse, Sicily.
Posted by: Willie | May 02, 2011 at 04:43 AM
Thats soooooo pussycat.Try a surfing Mohammed.
Posted by: Dirk Rogers | May 02, 2011 at 11:05 AM
I'm about as atheist as it gets...towards traditional religions. That being said...Leave it.
Posted by: jzh | May 02, 2011 at 12:23 PM
Whats the problem ...I dont see nothing wrong about it....Looks like everyone agrees to leave it.
Posted by: Donna | May 04, 2011 at 07:41 AM