The controversial, and sometimes comical, Statue of Lenin has come under some scrutiny, and ire, lately – but it has also been the target of more than usual rough vandalized and graffiti. The first markings drew more markings, and then more, and gave a look of disrepair and apathy to the neighborhood.
One of the markings on the statue, sculpted by the late Emil Venkov, was suspected of being a particularly repugnant gang tag. The Fremont Chamber of Commerce, which manages the sale of the sculpture (which is still for sale,) used its Arts Fund money to pay for removal of all the graffiti last week.
The Graffiti Busters sent a professional cleaner who did a very thorough and quick job. The statue, except for the gruesome red paint on its hand, looked cleaner afterwards than it possible had done since its temporary installation on that corner, in 1997.
For more information about the Chamber, and its Arts Fund (and the other work it does to support our community and strengthen the business community,) visit the Fremont.com website.