It’s not the only time tensions at Skatin’ Place have boiled up this year. Over the summer, Miles faced accusations of verbal harassment after an episode in which someone lowered the volume of his portable stereo without permission, later ascribing it to “a bad day after 45 years of hard work.” He told The Standard again this week that he denied any wrongdoing in that incident.
Illuminate is slated to debut a new public art piece Friday in Golden Gate Park, a collaboration with the street artist fnnch called “Solar Arch.” Fnnch is no stranger to controversy, his ubiquitous honey bear murals having been the subject of feverish criticism during the pandemic. The arch will not be near where “Over Ruled” now stands.
Miles hopes nothing goes up in its place, but he’s open to working with the city on other additions to the park. He has some ideas of his own: a zip line, say, or art cars that putter up and down the asphalt at 5 mph, with the top-hatted Miles telling stories behind the wheel. He’s done it before, he said.
“Nonmotorized, no-gasoline vehicles — safe, inspected, and all that,” he added. “If the DMV can do it at Burning Man, we can do it here!”
Indeed, a year after having been “Over Ruled,” it’s the roller disco godfather who has the last word.