ATLANTA (CBS ATLANTA) -
A controversial mural in southeast Atlanta has drawn people from as far away as Dallas, GA, and has sparked conversation around the world.
"My friends in Germany talk about it, and it made international news," said Gerhard Worsch, who lives in Dallas.
For some, the imagery of the mural painted on a wall near McDonough Boulevard and Sawtell Avenue is quite clear.
"What a great expression of humanity and our animal side and aspects of us that society expects from us," said Karee Cole, who traveled from Acworth, GA, to see the mural.
For others, the painting of a woman in various forms of undress has sparked nothing but questions.
"The way he had it lined up start to end, I just want to know why he came up with this particular mural," said Gregory Charleston, who lives near the mural.
The Living Walls Conference, a nonprofit organization, commissioned the mural by Spanish artist Hyuro. Since its completion, it has been praised and criticized by critics.
"It's beautiful. I love it," Cole said.
"It's a time and a place to present murals such as this one, but this is not the place nor the time for it," Charleston said.
With a mosque, several churches and schools in the immediate area, Charleston says he's concerned about the mural's effect on the community.
"A child might look and want to take their clothes off and say 'I can do that.' That would not be good," Charleston said.
But Cole said there's nothing risqué about the mural.
"There is nothing offensive about this. If you strip all our clothes off, we are all the same underneath," Cole said.
In light of the controversy, Living Walls had planned to paint over the mural during the Labor Day Holiday, but now it will wait for the result of a neighborhood meeting on the subject next week.
That's good news for art lovers who see something worth preserving.
"School classes should be brought here. The space is right safe and they should write an essay about what they think it is," Worsch said.
Copyright 2012 WGCL-TV (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
Mural in southeast Atlanta
