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When a November, 2001
storm damaged aluminum covering on the south side of the Hewes building
at 995 Market Street, a pristine '50s-era painted Shasta billboard was revealed.
The soda company called the recaptured piece of Americana "Miracle
Art" and immediately promoted the discovery by announcing a $10,000
reward to find the artist as well as plans to create a vintage style commemorative
can. Art, history, architecture, and nostalgia buffs were also elated by
the discovery. Then on April 1, 2002, without much ado, the five-decades
old sign was replaced by a brand new Nike ad. Andrew Meieran,
president of Albion Pacific LLC, the company that owns 995 Market, tells
Mister SF the Shasta ad is still intact beneath a vinyl cover. The future
of the Miracle Art depends on Albion Pacific coming to term$ with the soda
maker. After the Chronicle did a story on the sudden appearance of the Nike
ad, Albion was derided for its seeming act of corporate crassness and cultural
insensitivity. In a typically San Franciscan confrontation that pits commercial
interests against fans of art and pop culture, the case has ended up in
court. San Francisco Wallscapes, a company that had leased the Hewes building
outdoor space, wants to continue putting its ads there and has sued to assert
its right to do so. See Rigo and 17
Reasons.
Detail
I
Detail II: Wrigley's Gum
Detail III: Westlake Foods
Detail IV: New Europe Hotel
Detail V: Sussex Arms Hotel
Detail VI: Zubelda Cigarettes
Detail VII: Pepsi
Detail VIII: Brownies Hardware
Detail IX: Key Klub
Detail X: Flag Makers
Detail XI: Frigidaire
Detail XII: Par-T-Pak
Detail XIII: Star Tobacco
Detail XIV: Freddie's Hofbrau
Detail XV: Prosperity Cleaners
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