Yepoka Yeebo
DNAinfo Reporter/ Producer
MANHATTAN - Pop artist Robert Indiana, known for the famous "Love" sculptures with the "o" tilted to the side, claims that an ex-business partner is threatening him with messages hidden in paintings.
In papers filed in Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday, Indiana claims painter John Gilbert's work features hidden messages, the New York Post reported.
One painting by Gilbert, 'Love #5,' includes text which reads: "If anyone tries to take the love away from me, I will kill them," according to the Post.
In that painting, "love" was depicted in the famous logo style. Gilbert claims that he paid Indiana $100,000 to use the "Love" design swapping in the Sanskrit word for "love" in tapestries and sculptures.
Indiana denies there was a deal.
"Love" was originally painted for a Museum of Modern Art Christmas card in 1965.
