A controversial Christmas mural, created using artificial intelligence, has been taken down in a London borough after it was widely criticised by the public and labelled a 'Lovecraftian horror'.
Festive Fiasco on Riverside Walk
The artwork, located on Riverside Walk in Kingston upon Thames, was intended to depict a festive scene. From a distance, it appeared to show Pilgrims ice skating and gathering around fires. However, a closer look revealed a host of disturbing and bizarre distortions.
The faces of the people skating were twisted and unnatural, while dogs in the landscape were rendered to look more like chickens. The snowmen and other figures also appeared deformed, creating an unsettling effect that quickly caught the attention of locals and social media users.
Public Outcry and Viral Ridicule
The mural swiftly became a major talking point, sparking a mix of confusion and complaint. On Reddit, one user described the artwork as containing 'scenes of Lovecraftian horror', a sentiment echoed by many. A commenter on Facebook said they were left 'speechless' by the installation, which they interpreted as a strange Nativity scene featuring Pilgrims.
A manager from the nearby Côte Brasserie restaurant confirmed to Metro that the mural had become a 'big talking point' and that there had been 'a lot of complaints'. Local resident Kelly Sherlock told the publication, 'It was an eyesore – it was bonkers really. Everyone was going down to have a look so it was eye-catching, but in the wrong way.'
Landowner Takes Action
Following the significant backlash, the landowners of the commercial area where the mural was situated made the decision to remove it. A spokesperson for the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames clarified to The Independent that 'Kingston Council has had no involvement in the planning or funding of the display' and confirmed the landowner had taken it down.
This was not the first time the landlord had caused controversy with AI art. The restaurant manager also revealed that an AI-generated mural featuring distorted seafood had been installed over the summer, which also proved to be controversial.
Despite the public's negative reaction, the development's owners reportedly insisted to London Centric that the mural was a Christmas scene inspired by the works of the sixteenth-century Flemish painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder, known for his detailed peasant scenes and winter landscapes like 'The Hunters in the Snow'.
