Gas mask on King Neptune? No stinking way, says art museum

VIRGINIA BEACH – The Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art removed a high-profile piece of a crochet-based artwork that was installed around the King Neptune statue at the Oceanfront because the museum said the artist violated their agreement for the work.

The piece by Brooklyn-based artist Olek covered the 34-foot statue in different crocheted colors and patterns and featured a large gas mask over King Neptune’s face. Olek had a city-approved agreement with MOCA to install the work as a part of its exhibit “Turn the Page: The First Ten Years of Hi-Fructose.”

Olek intended the mask as commentary on the ocean’s health.

“Since we are facing a global ecological crisis, I wanted to draw attention to the health of our oceans,” she said in a statement on an Instagram photo of Neptune in the mask that was posted to her account.

She continued:

“When you look at the statue of King Neptune, what does he symbolize for you? Do you think he’s happy with the current situation of the health of the oceans? Are there things that you can do in your daily life to help, like limiting your use of plastic bags and bottles? As a lone artist I know I cannot make these statements alone, so I invited the local community to participate adding their voices to mine. If we all work together we can solve issues and make the world a better place.”

Dot Green, a MOCA spokeswoman, said the museum has been working with Olek for two years on the project, and the gas mask was not part of the deal.

“Although MOCA and the city embraced her message of ocean conservation, the addition was not part of the approved proposal,” the museum said in a release. “While the museum was certainly willing to entertain other ideas and work with Olek to create the appropriate iconology that would convey the message, Olek took liberties beyond the scope of her contract and inserted her personal agenda.”

Olek said in her Instagram statement that “art in general can inspire and initiate change. Hopefully public art forces people to take a pause and makes them stop staring into the ground or their iPhones. … I want to reach more and more people and inspire them to question, think, act and enjoy. To me, being an artist means having the responsibility to illustrate and talk about the current, not always comfortable, situation worldwide.”

The Neptune piece was commissioned by the city and MOCA and was intended to raise awareness about the waters near Virginia Beach. It was to be ready for Thursday’s annual Boardwalk Art Show, according to MOCA’s website. The museum removed the mask Wednesday and planned to have the entire piece removed soon. The museum was open to continuing the exhibit without the mask, but Olek preferred to have the whole thing taken down without it, according to Green.

Between 30 and 40 Salem High School students contributed to different crochet pieces for the project, Green said. 

“For it (the piece) not to be realized is difficult for everybody involved,” she said. “Many of the pieces were done by local volunteers.”

A photo of the work posted to Olek’s Instagram account:

Art in general can inspire and initiate change. Hopefully public art forces people to take a pause and makes them stop staring into the ground or their iPhones. They can focus on the art that is jumping out at them. My work is never finished – the continuous response of the viewers makes the art. My contribution is the tool that helps people realize their own expressions. I hope that it proves that all things are interconnected. I want to bring color, life, energy, and surprise to the living space. I want to reach more and more people and inspire them to question, think, act and enjoy. To me, being an artist means having the responsibility to illustrate and talk about the current, not always comfortable, situation worldwide. Since we are facing a global ecological crisis, I wanted to draw attention to the health of our oceans. When you look at the statue of King Neptune, what does he symbolize for you? Do you think he’s happy with the current situation of the health of the oceans? Are there things that you can do in your daily life to help, like limiting your use of plastic bags and bottles? As a lone artist I know I cannot make these statements alone, so I invited the local community to participate adding their voices to mine. If we all work together we can solve issues and make the world a better place. ~ Olek, June 13, 2016 Artist, Paul DiPasquale originally created this iconic statue of King Neptune. It was dedicated to the City of Virginia Beach on September 30, 2005. In mythology, King Neptune is the Roman god of the seas. This thirty-four foot sculpture stands as a welcoming figure to beach visitors while reminding us to take better care of the seas. Olek’s interaction with King Neptune has taken place with DiPasquale’s knowledge and participation. Her positive and colorful intervention on King Neptune serves as powerful reminder of DiPasquale’s original intention. Because of us, the oceans are in dire straits. But, through our actions as good stewards of the natural world, we can restore our waters and live in harmony with our environment. #Olek #saveourseas #publicart @virginiamoca #hifructose @hifructosemag #turnthepage #neptun #kingneptun

A photo posted by olek (@oleknyc) on Jun 15, 2016 at 5:59am PDT

In an earlier Instagram post, from a week ago, Olek posted a video clip of what appears to be her hand releasing a moth from the balcony of a hotel room overlooking the boardwalk:

“This beauty was trapped in my room,” she wrote. “It was a perfect moment as I feel trapped as well. They want the butterfly but in a cage…”

This beauty was trapped in my room. It was a perfect moment as I feel trapped as well. They want the butterfly but in a cage… #Olek

A video posted by olek (@oleknyc) on Jun 7, 2016 at 8:32am PDT