Entertainment & Sports
Jan. 30, 2001
THE COLOR OF MONEY
When visual artist Andrew Leicester signed a contract in 1989 with R&T Development Corp. to design artwork in connection with the development of a 24-story office building at 801 S. Figueroa St. in downtown Los Angeles, his goal was to evoke William Mulholland's "water vampire." Leicester spent three years of his life traveling between his studio in Minneapolis and Los Angeles to oversee construction. For his artwork, he received a $575,000 commission.
Newly enlightened when it comes to intellectual property, today's artists demand compensation when studios exploit their work. Lawsuits, injunctions, and out-of-court settlements have become de rigueur in the world of major motion pictures. Just ask Batman.
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