Prepared for a legal battle, an artist who works under the name XVALA confirms plan to use the images in a series of street art installments.
- Sep 23, 2011
AceShowbiz - After naked photos of hers made their rounds online, Scarlett Johansson issued legal threat against a number of websites to refrain them from publishing the revealing pictures. The cease and desist letter, however, didn't seem to discourage an artist from planning to plaster the images in the streets in the name of art.
E! News reported that the artist, who works under the name XVALA, has confirmed his plans in using the nude pictures in a series of street art installments. It is understood that the actress' private parts are covered using strategically placed stickers, and the art has been put up outside a vacant Hollywood Video store in Los Angeles.
It also seemed that XVALA isn't worried about taking matters to court. His spokesperson Cory Allen told E! that they are prepared for legal fight. The rep added, "I've received a cease and desist letter, but they're never acted on when it's claimed as an art piece. There are a lot of hacked photos out there."
On the legal fight that might arise, attorney Jason Feldman of Feldman & Wallach said, "The law in the United States leans toward free speech and artistic freedom." While noting that the fact that the images are stolen "does complicate the matter", he added, "It would depend on how much the photo is altered and how much a reasonable person would feel her privacy was invaded."
In another news, rumors of Scarlett hooking up with actor Kieran Culkin have been debunked. One source told Us Weekly that the "Iron Man 2" beauty "has never hooked up with Kieran," and that she and the "Scott Pilgrim vs. the World" actor are "just old friends who went to high school together."
Scarlett and Kieran were linked romantically together after the two were photographed strolling in Paris on September 12. Five days later, the 26-year-old actress and the 28-year-old actor once again strolled arm-in-arm. This time around, they were seen together outside Manhattan lounge Cabin Down Below.
