Sadly for the art-appreciators and passers-by in the East Village and Lower East Side respectively, two major murals went missing this week. And, although there may not be a direct connection between them, it is a loss that stings more as a collective deficit than had they maybe gone missing on separate occasions.

The first to go, as reported and chronicled by local blog EV Grieve, was the Shepard Fairey mural on Houston and Bowery. The artist, most widely recognized for his "HOPE" posters of Barack Obama during the 2008 presidential election, was commissioned by Goldman Properties and Deitch Projects, as part of their continued collaboration surrounding the "canvas" site. The mural was planned to remain in place until the end of December, but, unfortunately, the run had to be cut short due to persistent vandalism.

The next one to disappear was by graffiti artist Chico, which commemorated John Lennon and appeared on Avenue B near Houston. The Bowery Boogie laments the lack of artistry that now plagues the space and supposes a link to the recent postponement of Mark David Chapman's parole hearing. Although that can't be proved, we must admit, it certainly seems coincidental.