“I Believe” Maiden Lane tower slogan is painted over
Published: 17th March, 2011
IT was a positive message beamed out across the rooftops of Camden Town – or a piece of vandalism that besmirched the skyline.
Either way, the striking piece of street art declaring “I Believe” that has graced the top of a Maiden Lane tower block has disappeared, painted over by council staff.
It divided opinions on the New Journal’s letters pages, with some saying it was disgraceful crime, while others said it lifted spirits.
The decision to paint over it comes after discussions over whether the borough needs a dedicated street art committee to decide whether public works should be kept or whether there should be blanket ban on them.
One piece in Belsize Village, of a retired shopkeeper Joan Beechey, has had a piece of perspex placed over it while art by Banksy has also been preserved.
Currently it is left to the discretion of street cleaning teams to decide if artwork should stay or go.
Many artists and their admirers say it should be decided upon by an arts committee made up of residents, councillors, police officers and art critics.