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418 Molino

An Interactive Art Tour

This is a full-blown audiovisual tour of the mural. You’ll want to turn your sound on. Better yet, put on your headphones. This is 2017, so the tour will work on your phone, but you’ll have a better time if you look at it on a bigger screen.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Dave Mann, The Man

Dave Mann, the “Norman Rockwell of the biker world,” illustrated the centerfold of Easyriders magazine from 1972 to 2003.

Dave Mann, The Man

Dave Mann, the “Norman Rockwell of the biker world,” illustrated the centerfold of Easyriders magazine from 1972 to 2003.

You’re listening to:

Micah Cohen Mural Collage Artist

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Kale Yourself

Big surprise: a vegetarian made us paint kale. Look at it advancing on that grill like a superfood storm cloud. We see you, health craze. Let us know if you can get a walldog to swap his whiskey for green juice.

Kale Yourself

Big surprise: a vegetarian made us paint kale. Look at it advancing on that grill like a superfood storm cloud. We see you, health craze. Let us know if you can get a walldog to swap his whiskey for green juice.

You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Girls, girls, girls

With “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Mötley Crüe immortalized the Sunset Strip and its stacks of women drenched in neon. This is our attempt to follow in their footsteps and give a nod to ‘80s stripper culture. Our New York crew went to pay tribute to that culture while they were painting this mural, and they’re happy to report that it’s still kicking.

Girls, girls, girls

With “Girls, Girls, Girls,” Mötley Crüe immortalized the Sunset Strip and its stacks of women drenched in neon. This is our attempt to follow in their footsteps and give a nod to ‘80s stripper culture. Our New York crew went to pay tribute to that culture while they were painting this mural, and they’re happy to report that it’s still kicking.

You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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The Church of Skyhighentology

Colossal is a cult. If you’re crazy enough to join us, you’ll get beat up during your training; you’ll lose touch with your family, friends, and girlfriends; and you’ll catch people whispering, “I hear he’s a Colossal painter” behind your back. But in return, we offer self-knowledge, spiritual fulfillment, and, if you breathe in enough paint fumes, communion with a higher power.

The Church of Skyhighentology

Colossal is a cult. If you’re crazy enough to join us, you’ll get beat up during your training; you’ll lose touch with your family, friends, and girlfriends; and you’ll catch people whispering, “I hear he’s a Colossal painter” behind your back. But in return, we offer self-knowledge, spiritual fulfillment, and, if you breathe in enough paint fumes, communion with a higher power.

You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Angelyne, the Billboard Queen

Angelyne is an LA legend and an OOH maverick. She became the first celebrity to be “famous for being famous” when she plastered her curves across 200 billboards all over Los Angeles. Angelyne sightings are rare these days, but if you’re lucky, you can still catch her rolling through Hollywood in her pink Corvette.

Angelyne, the Billboard Queen

Angelyne is an LA legend and an OOH maverick. She became the first celebrity to be “famous for being famous” when she plastered her curves across 200 billboards all over Los Angeles. Angelyne sightings are rare these days, but if you’re lucky, you can still catch her rolling through Hollywood in her pink Corvette.

You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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There’s No Barbecues in Hell

We looked this up after the interview. It’s illegal to use lighter fluids that have pollutants in them because they’ll make the smog worse, but we’re okay with paper, gas, and propane so we’re gonna keep charring meats and making tacos. Come through for a bite if you’re in the Arts District. If Steve Sanchez is there, go say hey and learn a thing or two.

There’s No Barbecues in Hell

We looked this up after the interview. It’s illegal to use lighter fluids that have pollutants in them because they’ll make the smog worse, but we’re okay with paper, gas, and propane so we’re gonna keep charring meats and making tacos. Come through for a bite if you’re in the Arts District. If Steve Sanchez is there, go say hey and learn a thing or two.

You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Fed

We’ve painted two portraits of Fed inside the Molino shop and now we’ve added a third. He hates the spotlight, but we’re gonna keep painting his face wherever we damn please, because the guy deserves the attention. Fed finds pieces of our crazy puzzle that look like they’re slipping out of place and uses his superhuman strength to grab them, rein them in, and make them right.

Fed

We’ve painted two portraits of Fed inside the Molino shop and now we’ve added a third. He hates the spotlight, but we’re gonna keep painting his face wherever we damn please, because the guy deserves the attention. Fed finds pieces of our crazy puzzle that look like they’re slipping out of place and uses his superhuman strength to grab them, rein them in, and make them right.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Ryan

On paper, Ryan is our VP of Operations. That title doesn’t do him any justice, though. Ryan gets 30-odd painters and all their supplies to 100+ walls between NY and LA, constantly tinkering with schedules and spreadsheets and production times so that murals get done on time, despite rain and snow and heat and shit, and he still has time to tour with his band and spin records with his friends. The dude’s a god.

Ryan

On paper, Ryan is our VP of Operations. That title doesn’t do him any justice, though. Ryan gets 30-odd painters and all their supplies to 100+ walls between NY and LA, constantly tinkering with schedules and spreadsheets and production times so that murals get done on time, despite rain and snow and heat and shit, and he still has time to tour with his band and spin records with his friends. The dude’s a god.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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VR46

Valentino Rossi is the Michael Jordan of motorcycle racing. He’s got nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name. Champs usually take the No. 1 sticker for the next season, but Rossi kept No. 46 in honor of his father, who won his first Grand Prix with it. This is California, though, so swapped the bike for a tricked-out VW bus.

VR46

Valentino Rossi is the Michael Jordan of motorcycle racing. He’s got nine Grand Prix World Championships to his name. Champs usually take the No. 1 sticker for the next season, but Rossi kept No. 46 in honor of his father, who won his first Grand Prix with it. This is California, though, so swapped the bike for a tricked-out VW bus.

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You’re listening to:

Micah Cohen Mural Collage Artist

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Hell-A

The ground was sagging under a seething mass of Gustavo’s illustrations in a Bosch-like madness. It finally gave way, crumbling down into a fiery hell in which Ryan rules as the dark overlord. Hail Ryan!

Hell-A

The ground was sagging under a seething mass of Gustavo’s illustrations in a Bosch-like madness. It finally gave way, crumbling down into a fiery hell in which Ryan rules as the dark overlord. Hail Ryan!

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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420

We’d like to thank our brothers and sisters on the west coast for fighting the good fight and legalizing recreational marijuana just in time for our arrival. Got a rec for a shop near our shop? It’d be a lot cooler if you did.

420

We’d like to thank our brothers and sisters on the west coast for fighting the good fight and legalizing recreational marijuana just in time for our arrival. Got a rec for a shop near our shop? It’d be a lot cooler if you did.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Walk This Way

This one started off as a newspaper ad for a human dog walker and, after a few rounds of edits, morphed into the real thing. Why not? LA’s weird.

Walk This Way

This one started off as a newspaper ad for a human dog walker and, after a few rounds of edits, morphed into the real thing. Why not? LA’s weird.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Danny Don’t

On his first day as an apprentice he sliced his hand open with a boxcutter. A few months later, he knocked out his front tooth on the way to a wall. See a pattern? That’s how he got his name. But don’t worry — Danny Don’t is a talented painter and a really hard worker, and he’s growing out of his nickname. If he’s painting your mural, your ad is in good, stitched-up hands.

Danny Don’t

On his first day as an apprentice he sliced his hand open with a boxcutter. A few months later, he knocked out his front tooth on the way to a wall. See a pattern? That’s how he got his name. But don’t worry — Danny Don’t is a talented painter and a really hard worker, and he’s growing out of his nickname. If he’s painting your mural, your ad is in good, stitched-up hands.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Dan

Dan’s a part of the old guard. Instead of going through the structured apprenticeship program we have now, Dan and the other guys from his era shadowed expert painters. They just showed up at job sites and picked up whatever bits of knowledge the painters would throw their way. It was a slower process and it was a lot harder for people to prove themselves, but they made it work. Dan’s been with us for nine years now, and he keeps impressing us with every new job.

Dan

Dan’s a part of the old guard. Instead of going through the structured apprenticeship program we have now, Dan and the other guys from his era shadowed expert painters. They just showed up at job sites and picked up whatever bits of knowledge the painters would throw their way. It was a slower process and it was a lot harder for people to prove themselves, but they made it work. Dan’s been with us for nine years now, and he keeps impressing us with every new job.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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This Shit is Bananas

Bananas lurk in every corner of this madness. Gustavo says they’re comical and slippery, just like us. Watch your step.

This Shit is Bananas

Bananas lurk in every corner of this madness. Gustavo says they’re comical and slippery, just like us. Watch your step.

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You’re listening to:

Micah Cohen Mural Collage Artist

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Beauty and Morbidity

LA is beautiful. The people are hot. The weather, the beaches — everything is perfect. This vintage Miss Universe Barbie represents our hunger for that perfection. Damien Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull carries the metaphor to its morbid end.

Beauty and Morbidity

LA is beautiful. The people are hot. The weather, the beaches — everything is perfect. This vintage Miss Universe Barbie represents our hunger for that perfection. Damien Hirst’s diamond-encrusted skull carries the metaphor to its morbid end.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Spectator Culture

Weird things happen when you operate in a public space. That’s true of both movie sets and job sites. Actually, there are a lot of parallels between the two — both are have crazy amounts of logistics in motion behind the scenes, both draw crowds, and both employ a team of weirdos.

Spectator Culture

Weird things happen when you operate in a public space. That’s true of both movie sets and job sites. Actually, there are a lot of parallels between the two — both are have crazy amounts of logistics in motion behind the scenes, both draw crowds, and both employ a team of weirdos.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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The Better To Hear You With

Careful where you spill your guts. You wouldn’t believe the things we overhear when people don’t know we’re on a lift 20 feet above them. This guy’s trying to catch even more gossip by using his paint roller as a boom mic. Don’t know if that’s gonna work, buddy.

The Better To Hear You With

Careful where you spill your guts. You wouldn’t believe the things we overhear when people don’t know we’re on a lift 20 feet above them. This guy’s trying to catch even more gossip by using his paint roller as a boom mic. Don’t know if that’s gonna work, buddy.

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You’re listening to:

Micah Cohen Mural Collage Artist

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Heaven is a 7-Eleven

How is Colossal like a cherub with a cigarette? Maybe because watching someone hang off the side of a building and bring a mural to life is like watching a video of a baby that smokes 2 packs a day — you just can’t tear your eyes away. We’re open to other interpretations, though.

Heaven is a 7-Eleven

How is Colossal like a cherub with a cigarette? Maybe because watching someone hang off the side of a building and bring a mural to life is like watching a video of a baby that smokes 2 packs a day — you just can’t tear your eyes away. We’re open to other interpretations, though.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Creature Feature

These creatures aren’t meant to be male or female. Yes, some have more male or female characteristics, but they’re not there for their gender; they’re there to make a mess and get into trouble and give the illustration some visual texture.

Creature Feature

These creatures aren’t meant to be male or female. Yes, some have more male or female characteristics, but they’re not there for their gender; they’re there to make a mess and get into trouble and give the illustration some visual texture.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Titans of Industry

Alcohol brands were some of the first to let us paint their ads. Over the years, many of those brands have become our biggest and best partners. The bottle to the right of the frame is a small nod to that.

Titans of Industry

Alcohol brands were some of the first to let us paint their ads. Over the years, many of those brands have become our biggest and best partners. The bottle to the right of the frame is a small nod to that.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Nananana Batman

Batman’s order: a double-double, protein style, with animal style fries. He puts the Batmobile on autopilot and feasts all the way back to Calabasas.

Nananana Batman

Batman’s order: a double-double, protein style, with animal style fries. He puts the Batmobile on autopilot and feasts all the way back to Calabasas.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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The Wiz

The fountain of youth is a handful of jalapeños. Art eats them every day for lunch and he’s been painting billboards since the ‘70s. Now he’s pushing brushes with us. We couldn’t be luckier.

The Wiz

The fountain of youth is a handful of jalapeños. Art eats them every day for lunch and he’s been painting billboards since the ‘70s. Now he’s pushing brushes with us. We couldn’t be luckier.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Segway Series

Segways: not just for tourists anymore. Use ‘em to play Segway Jousting, beef up your pick-up lines, or groove in the streets. But spare your tailbone — don’t ride them down the stairs.

Segway Series

Segways: not just for tourists anymore. Use ‘em to play Segway Jousting, beef up your pick-up lines, or groove in the streets. But spare your tailbone — don’t ride them down the stairs.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Siri Sucker

Look up, sheeple! Yank your face away from your phone every once in awhile. We put up signs and cones to keep you from getting splattered with paint, but given how many screen-gazing hunchbacks trip through our job sites, it feels like that’s the look you’re going for. Oh, you were getting a photo of me? Well then, make sure you get my good side.

Siri Sucker

Look up, sheeple! Yank your face away from your phone every once in awhile. We put up signs and cones to keep you from getting splattered with paint, but given how many screen-gazing hunchbacks trip through our job sites, it feels like that’s the look you’re going for. Oh, you were getting a photo of me? Well then, make sure you get my good side.

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You’re listening to:

Micah Cohen Mural Collage Artist

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It’s Lit

Hand paint isn’t the only player with a long history on the LA sign scene; for years, blazing neon was just as vital. Now, thanks to efforts like the Historic Broadway Sign District ordinance, both mediums are making a comeback. These painted palms nod to that history while also shining light on the bright, beautiful veneer of life in Los Angeles.

It’s Lit

Hand paint isn’t the only player with a long history on the LA sign scene; for years, blazing neon was just as vital. Now, thanks to efforts like the Historic Broadway Sign District ordinance, both mediums are making a comeback. These painted palms nod to that history while also shining light on the bright, beautiful veneer of life in Los Angeles.

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You’re listening to:

Micah Cohen Mural Collage Artist

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Earth to Colossal

Hieronymus Bosch’s work was as wild as his name. This mural is our take on his famous triptych, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” and the panel you’re looking at now is Earth — raucous, debaucherous, and intoxicating.

Earth to Colossal

Hieronymus Bosch’s work was as wild as his name. This mural is our take on his famous triptych, “The Garden of Earthly Delights,” and the panel you’re looking at now is Earth — raucous, debaucherous, and intoxicating.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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The Flying Eyeball

Drop the needle on China Cat Sunflower and imagine smelling weed and eucalyptus trees in the San Francisco sun. This eyeball is Gustavo’s nod to Rick Griffin, the artist whose bright work you think of when someone says “psychedelic.”

The Flying Eyeball

Drop the needle on China Cat Sunflower and imagine smelling weed and eucalyptus trees in the San Francisco sun. This eyeball is Gustavo’s nod to Rick Griffin, the artist whose bright work you think of when someone says “psychedelic.”

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Wave Goodbye

Brutal winters remind East Coasters of their mortality. Out west, the looming Big One does the same. Loosely inspired by the L.A. Fine Arts Squad’s “Isle of California”, which is staring down its own destruction by the elements after being blasted by sunlight for 35 years, we painted tidal waves and earthquakes to see what our future might look like.

Wave Goodbye

Brutal winters remind East Coasters of their mortality. Out west, the looming Big One does the same. Loosely inspired by the L.A. Fine Arts Squad’s “Isle of California”, which is staring down its own destruction by the elements after being blasted by sunlight for 35 years, we painted tidal waves and earthquakes to see what our future might look like.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Ship of Fools

Earthquake, Airport, The Towering Inferno… those ‘70s disaster movies are epic examples of madness unfolding while the world spins out of control. Not an unfamiliar feeling in 2017. And if those movies took place in the present day, you can be damn sure there’d be kids sending Snaps of the mayhem.

Ship of Fools

Earthquake, Airport, The Towering Inferno… those ‘70s disaster movies are epic examples of madness unfolding while the world spins out of control. Not an unfamiliar feeling in 2017. And if those movies took place in the present day, you can be damn sure there’d be kids sending Snaps of the mayhem.

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You’re listening to:

Paul Lindahl Colossal co-founder

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Misfits

We’re black sheep. We’re definitely not your average Hollywood story. Guess that’s why we gravitate towards these freaks and weirdos. That, and the fact that we figured these guys wouldn’t sue us for painting them.

Misfits

We’re black sheep. We’re definitely not your average Hollywood story. Guess that’s why we gravitate towards these freaks and weirdos. That, and the fact that we figured these guys wouldn’t sue us for painting them.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Muscle Beach

Lifts run out of gas and rig motors stop working. Deadlines are deadlines, though. In order to meet them, these painters scrambled up piles of sun-baked and oil-slicked muscles — fixtures of LA’s cultural landscape that date back to the ‘30s.

Muscle Beach

Lifts run out of gas and rig motors stop working. Deadlines are deadlines, though. In order to meet them, these painters scrambled up piles of sun-baked and oil-slicked muscles — fixtures of LA’s cultural landscape that date back to the ‘30s.

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You’re listening to:

Gustavo Dao Mural Illustrator

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Your Fault

The San Andreas Fault is the backbone of Gustavo’s illustrated world. He and Paul originally wanted the cracks in the earth to reveal a trompe l’oeil painting of the shop, but Micah’s collages gave our crew a better way of showing off their photorealism.

Your Fault

The San Andreas Fault is the backbone of Gustavo’s illustrated world. He and Paul originally wanted the cracks in the earth to reveal a trompe l’oeil painting of the shop, but Micah’s collages gave our crew a better way of showing off their photorealism.

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