Signage vs. Art

I live in a peculiar world where signage and art do not have clear classifications. I have created three dimensional sculptural interpretations of logos, and designed murals that showcase retail products.

Last night I went before town council to ask that they defer voting on a new sign ordinance, because I would like to see language that not only more precisely defines the difference between signage and art, but take a more forgiving view of art that is created to promote business, so that it does not have to conform to the restrictions of a sign ordinance.

From town code, here are two interesting definitions to consider:

Mural. A picture on an exterior surface of a structure. A mural is an attached sign only if it is related by language or logo to the advertisement of any product or service or the identification of any business. Sign: displayed for the purpose of information, direction or identification or to advertise or promote a business, service, activity, interest or product.

These definitions might appear to be clear on the surface, but what if I want to create a mural that visually promotes a service provided by a business, and is intended to promote that business, yet I do it using neither language nor the logo of the business?

Specifically, (assuming obtaining copyright permission) what if I wanted to put this image or something similar on the side of a soda shop?

Normal Rockwell's The Soda Fountain

What about this one?

From http://suelynncotton.com/Food%20&%20Wine.htm

At what point does a mural become a sign?

I don't think there is a definitive answer to this question. I believe the answer goes to the goals of a community, and how they would like to present their community to the rest of the world. My own opinion is that a more forgiving definition of mural (or is it artistic definition of sign?) would allow not only for a great deal of creativity, but much better odds that a business owner would be willing to pay for a mural on the side of their building or some type of interesting sculptural display.

Now lets apply the same logic to sculptural art. I'll give a specific example from a project one which I was one of the designers. Virginia artist Tom Wright was commissioned to do this piece, and he and I designed it together.

Mt Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries Fountain

The fountain is a rather broad interpretation of the church's logo:

I've been told that essentially only the circle or rectangle within a mural that contains the name of the business and logo is considered a sign. So for instance, in the image below, only the red circle with the word Coca-Cola would be a sign, and would be restricted by size according to the sign ordinance:

From http://www.waymarking.com/gallery/image.aspx?f=1&guid=3ad7576b-30ba-48ef-b21f-fe783c4da964

So lets say that we apply the same logic to three dimensional art. First off, is this merely a sculpture, or is it a sign?

From http://www.urban75.org/photos/newyork/manhattan-street-photos-01.html

What about this?:

From http://onmilwaukee.com/dining/articles/tazzapizzeriaclosed.html

What if that coffee cup has a logo on it? Would only the logo part be a sign?

This isn't just a local conversation. These are questions every town should be asking. What do you want out of your sign ordinance? What do you want in terms of art?