Anish Kapoor sues NRA over unauthorized use of Cloud Gate in ad
Artist Anish Kapoor has filed a lawsuit against the National Rifle Association (NRA) for copyright infringement, seeking $150,000 in damages and a share of profits from an advertisement that featured his iconic sculpture Cloud Gate without permission. The ad, titled The Violence of Lies, criticizes US media for allegedly spreading false news and includes images of several American landmarks, including Kapoor's 2004 stainless steel work at Chicago's Millennium Park, commonly known as 'The Bean.' Kapoor requested its removal in March 2018 but the NRA did not comply. In a statement, Kapoor condemned the ad for inciting fear and hatred, calling the NRA's vision 'nightmarish and intolerant.' He emphasized that Cloud Gate belongs to the people of Chicago and should not be used to promote gun ownership. The lawsuit highlights the tension between artistic expression and political messaging, as well as the legal protections artists hold over their work.
Key facts
- Anish Kapoor sued the NRA for copyright infringement over the use of Cloud Gate in an ad.
- The ad, The Violence of Lies, was released in 2017 or early 2018.
- Kapoor demanded $150,000 in damages and a share of ad profits.
- Cloud Gate is a large stainless steel sculpture at Millennium Park in Chicago, installed in 2004.
- The NRA ad also featured the New York Times building by Renzo Piano and the Walt Disney Concert Hall by Frank Gehry.
- Kapoor requested removal of his work from the ad in March 2018, but the NRA refused.
- Kapoor stated the ad 'seeks to incite fear and hatred' and 'perverts everything that Cloud Gate – and America – represents.'
- The lawsuit was filed in 2018.
Entities
Artists
- Anish Kapoor
- Renzo Piano
- Frank Gehry
Institutions
- National Rifle Association (NRA)
- Millennium Park
Locations
- Bombay
- Chicago
- United States