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Dallas Paints Over Wyland’s Whale Mural for World Cup Installation

The change spotlights how event branding can override long-standing public art.

Painters were covering downtown Dallas' whale wall mural, painted by marine life artist Robert Wyland in 1999, in blue paint on May 14. The wall will be transformed into a FIFA World Cup-themed display.
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Overview

  • Crews at 505 N. Akard St. began covering Robert Wyland’s 1999 whale mural in blue paint this week to prepare a FIFA World Cup-themed replacement.
  • The North Texas organizing committee says the piece will celebrate the tournament and that a small corner of the original will be preserved as a tribute.
  • Organizers say the project is a partnership with the building’s owner and they aim to unveil the new work before the June 11 kickoff.
  • Wyland and his foundation say they were blindsided and he plans to explore a Visual Artists Rights Act claim over the modification.
  • The committee says it has been in touch with the City of Dallas and the Wyland Foundation, while residents on site voiced disappointment at losing a familiar landmark.