BS: banksy art or vandalism

Subject: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: acegardener
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 10:25 AM

What do you think? there is one school of thought that says it is art, another, me included that treats it as vandalism.

Idolising a graffitti artist only encourages other scrotes to leave their daubings on public buildings. I think it is arrogant of Banksy to keep on defacing property, then think we should be grateful because it is valuable. Although I cannot see how a price can be put on something that is painted on somebodies private property whithout their consent.

He is talented and can name his price on a canvass/board etc, so why does he carry on doing it without being prosecuted.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 10:33 AM

Just think he is over publicised.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Stu
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 10:49 AM

A clever marketeer, but not really too artistic.

As for graffitti, many of the writers are pretty advanced artists. Street art informs the creative industries and many within those industries would probably admit it's influence is widespread. It's a genuine urban art form, created on the streets by people who are not part or have an interest in any commercial or establishment body.

A few writers go on to exhibit commercially, work in the graphics industry. Many have a very highly developed understanding of letterforms and form in general - often more so than many graphic designers these days.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:09 AM

The triumph of hype over content.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:11 AM

If it's not asked for it's vandalism.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:19 AM

Maybe a touch OTT John as I like some of the pics I've seen of his graffiti.

But I'm sure you like me has for example seen a really good pavement artist at work, know what can be done and in my case can not figure out why banksy is singled out as being so special or unique by the media.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Ebbie
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:19 AM

Having googled and seen a number of hs endeavors I think he is very good. There is no way I would call it vandalism.

How about a compromise: Have him - and other graffiti artists - agree to use paints that are water soluable and are washed away within a week?

That would let them and their fans record the art for posterity.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:22 AM

Keith Haring in New York City was a very recognizable graffiti artist and went on to great success, and I'm sure his estate is quite robust. He died of AIDS fairly soon after he realized this success. Keith Haring, 1958 - 1990.

I like it, it's a treat to turn a corner and recognize the hand of a familiar artist. The difference between advertising and unsolicited public art is clear to viewers, and I think it just takes a little getting used to.

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST, RIchard Bridge
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:23 AM

I care nothing for the quality of art (or otherwise).

Vandalism pure and simple without any redeeming virtue of necessity or improvement of society.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST,leeneia
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:37 AM

I have seen the graffiti from San Francisco to Budapest, and the most noticeable thing about it is its sameness.

It's not about art, it's about punks fighting for territory.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: bobad
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 11:49 AM

Definitely art.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 01:11 PM

I don't know who Banksy is, but I have seen some graffiti art that is truly beautiful.

For the stuff that is not beautiful, I figure it is probably just practice. Maybe the artist will be good someday. Everybody has to start somewhere. The first song you sang probably wasn't beautiful, either.

Even if it's mediocre, it's probably an improvement over the average boxcar or blank industrial wall.

Graffiti art is different from "tagging" which is how gangs (and their imitators) mark their territory.

I suppose the owner of any property has the right to prevent unauthorized people from painting it, but I wish more property owners would allow and encourage it.

I strongly disapprove of laws that require property owners to remove or paint over graffiti, or that impose penalties on graffiti artists even when the property owners have no objection to the art. Such laws seem to me an infringement of the right to free speech.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 02:03 PM

There is a free wall (graffiti encouraged) at the end of the car park where I work. We can see it from our office window. Always something interesting happening down there, model and car photo shoots. Once the council sent painters to whitewash racist messages. Some really beautiful art happens there. Sad that it is so transitory.

Couple of weeks ago we had some young carers in work for 2.5 day session looking at illuminated documents in the archive and working with professional street artist Scott Irving create their own illuminated artwork.

I think it was a wonderful idea and these young people who have to care for parents or siblings with disability certainly enjoyed it. We had 12 booked. Only 6 could make it. Others cancelled due to caring responsibilities.

article here

These kids got to be involved in both history and art culture relevant to their age. Neither is normally accessible to them and certainly this was not a project to dismiss as mere encouragement to vandalism.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 02:14 PM

OK, I just looked up Banksy. I love it! In particular, I think this is brilliant, not so much for beauty, as for social commentary.

Say, would it be too much trouble, when someone starts a thread about a topic that might not be recognized worldwide, to give a little help with a link?

What's the problem here? That people don't realize this web site is used by people from all over the world? That they don't realize that the hot topics in their little corner might not be hot everywhere else? Or that they just can't be "bovvered" to consider such things? Well, it comes across as a very unfriendly attitude.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: bobad
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 02:23 PM

More here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/london/content/image_galleries/banksy_gallery.shtml?11

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 02:43 PM

old skool is wondeful

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Mavis Enderby
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 03:00 PM

Personally I love it. To me it's much less vandalism than most of the advertising that infects our public spaces. And related to that, Banksy on modern art:

"The thing I hate the most about advertising is that it attracts all the bright, creative and ambitious young people, leaving us mainly with the slow and self-obsessed to become our artists. Modern art is a disaster area. Never in the field of human history has so much been used by so many to say so little."

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST,PeterC
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 03:45 PM

Art?

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: PoppaGator
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 04:04 PM

Here in New Orleans, we have an individual who takes it upon himself to paint over any and all "graffitti" with rectangles of plain gray paint. Banksy has been here (quite visibly), and his works have been among the many bits painted-over by this particular zealot, who does not distinguish between gang-oriented "tagging" and other kinds of painting.

In many cases, property owners have expressed their opinion that the original "street art" did not bother them at all, and that they wish the stuff had never been painted over. The flat plain rectangles (in varying shades of gray and sometimes tan) are eyesores themselves, often much less attractive than what they covered up.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 05:33 PM

Regarding the guy who "takes it upon himself" to paint over graffiti: It would be deliciously ironic to have him prosecuted for vandalism.

It might be possible.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 07:00 PM

"If it's not asked for it's vandalism."

Would that apply to busking? Or picking up litter dropped by other people?

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Donuel
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 07:09 PM

A friend of mine Danny Spillane was a surreal artist extrodinaire.
While attending U of R he made many hiroshima shadows on the sidewalks and walls. He was expelled.

A Toronto street artist faced charges of vandalism but his work was so good, fun and compelling that at his trial he was sentence with probation as long as he did his art for the city where they chose.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Rapparee
Date: 24 Nov 10 - 07:09 PM

Is littering asked for? Probably not, so it's breaking the law ("Hey, guy, would you spread your trash all over my property?"). Busking isn't semi- or totally permanent and buskers will, in my experience, move on if asked to do so. (It is a violation of the law in some places in the US, by the way.)

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 25 Nov 10 - 05:08 AM

This is just the reaction he loves. He actually comes from my way and he could be anybody walking amongst us. Bristol does have a sense of humour so no he won't be prosecuted here. You never know somebody knows who he is and they will never tell.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST,Jon
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 01:28 AM

But why does he get it Patsy? I can part answer that by saying media attention. But why that? The way things go it would seem he was the only one capable of these forms of art that can look decent but many of us will somewhere have seen graffiti just as good or as I said before watched some remarkable work by a pavement artist.

How did he get his special celebrity status when he is far from unique?

----
On the art or vandalism question btw, I suppose it depends. If it is brightening up some drab maybe derelict building, I;m all for it. If it was say painting my (not that I can build one) nice new wall for the sake of graffiti, I'd be calling it vandalism.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 02:48 AM

You might see street art that is lovelier more aesthetically pleasing or may make a cursory comment to the culture it is in. A comment on street art or artist. It is almost a language only spoken and understood by the artists themselves.

Banksy's art besides being uniquely his (nearly iconic as it has a cultish following) makes a strong sometimes playful social comment about the wider world that the non street art viewer can connect to. I guess that is why the kissing policemen, and baby on oil barrel and the city worker spray painting over cave art really grab my attention.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: GUEST,Patsy
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 03:45 AM

VirginiaTam said it all. I went to his free exhibition at Bristol Museum last year and it was such a nice atmosphere especially because it had been such a lousy summer it was good to go along with the masses. The queue of people went right around the building so sections of the queue had to be let in a section at a time for health and safety reasons obviously but it was like that for the whole of the duration which lasted I think quite a few weeks. If they had charged they could have made a fortune. As for graffiti it isn't all just that. A lot of his work you have to look closer for instance in a cage there was what appeared to be a leopard in a tree but look closer and you realise it is a fur coat or in another was a model of a white laboratory rabbit applying make-up the kind of thing that it would have been tested on. You have to take a closer look. The main known works of art were displayed as usual with Banksy stuff dotted about in between so there was the option to look at both. It was an interesting day out. My favourite piece of Banksy art was at the entrance on the roof sat a model of a very downcast potentially suicidal MacDonald's clown looking ready to jump. The other joke too was that for all we knew he could have been wandering around as an attendant observing us too so everyone was eyeing up the staff wondering....... It was fun.

Subject: RE: BS: banksy art or vandalism
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 26 Nov 10 - 01:17 PM

The Simpsons Banksy opening.