An installation by the street artist Plastic Jesus appeared on Hollywood Boulevard on Feb. 19, just in time for the Academy Awards.
@LAist Hollywood and la Brea Streetart
The statue was pointedly placed on the corner of Hollywood and La Brea, the edge of where the street will be closed ahead of Sunday's awards.
"My piece is intended to highlight general cocaine and drug use not only in Hollywood, but around the world," Plastic Jesus told BuzzFeed News.
Just got snapped by #google street view!
"I picked the Oscars because you often hear about A-list celebs who go to rehab or have drug-related breakdowns, but you don't hear about producers or writers or electricians, who are also affected," he added.
#Oscars2015 #AcademyAwards #Hollywood #tinseltown #cocaine #drugs #addiction
This isn't Plastic Jesus' first inflammatory street installation. Last year at the same time he placed a similarly drug-themed statue near Hollywood Boulevard, though it was quickly removed.
#PeachesGeldof another sad showbiz - heroin related death. Time to confront the issue.
In fact, most of his street art seems to target the world of celebrity.
This one is for #KanyeWest #kanyewest grammy #kanyewest beck #Grammys2015 #GRAMMYs #Beyonce #respectartistry
Or wealthy drug users.
@thereaIbanksy or try this one for size
And his inspirations run the gamut of celebrity.
#RobinWilliams #RobinWilliamsRIP #streetart #streetartla
Most of the artist's pieces began as direct responses to specific celebrity deaths.
Last year's heroin-shooting Oscar sculpture, titled "Hollywood's Best Kept Secret," was in direct response to Philip Seymour Hoffman's overdose, while the Robin Williams wall stencil was in response to his suicide.
This year, in response to the supposed drug-related death of Parks and Recreation producer Harris Wittles, Plastic Jesus tweeted:
And people ask me what my art is about http://t.co/BUkHvouY3a #Oscars2015 ##academyawards #OscarsCountdown
"Until we remove the taboo [around drug use], people — celebrities and non-celebrities alike — will continue to die of overdoses," the artist said. "Art is a great formula to bring attention to these issues."
The only credit card with REAL value. Coming soon. #atm #credit #finance #money #debt #bankruptcy #banks