Saluting the flag
I’m not normally a big fan of Banksy, but this one (photo by Ben Bell) strikes me as quite brilliant.
posted on Thursday, March 6th, 2008 at 10:29 am
I’m not normally a big fan of Banksy, but this one (photo by Ben Bell) strikes me as quite brilliant.
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When I lived in Bristol, there was a minor incident when the city cleaners removed one of his old paintings. It was quite funny to hear the local shopkeepers explain that it was ugly, and rightly removed, until someone claimed the painting was valued at 100,000 pounds. After this, the wall owner thought it was an important picture and considered sueing the coty council for that amount.
Great piece of art.
Chris, I’m curious—why are you not a big fan of Banksy? Different art taste or his politics, or something else (I should add that I don’t know much about his politics except that it’s obviously anti-capitalist and against The System.)
I am increasingly convinced that Banksy is one of the most noteworthy, genuine and essential artists and satirists around. This piece alone works on so many levels and he has hit his target spot-on. Funny, revealing, utilising old and new art forms and formats, bridging high and low art… brilliant in its simplicity.
His art on the Israeli wall was good.
Ingrid, I think I’m probably suffering from Banksy-exhaustion from many years in Bristol.
I like this one a lot. As an ex-Bristolian, I am not yet exhausted. The one of the guy hanging from the ‘window’ on the side of the council building was puerile, non-political, but brilliant too.
Ah yes, the defilement of private property to produce high-priced ‘art’, creating a commodity to enhance the self-worth of the rich by peddling a faux-radical chic… If there were any more internal contradictions in his pose, you’d think his head would explode. Thanks Banksy! Next time draw it on a piece of paper.
This and his other stuff looks great. From photographs, it reminds me a little of Ernest Pignon-Ernest’s Walls of Napoli, which I’ve never seen either (just heard the soundtrack). Though I imagine the political context is much different, since I think Pignon-Ernest is more official (and it seems he works in the studio and then puts sketches up on walls).
Dunno, tastes an’all. The incorporation of the stuff on the wall is cool. But the picture itself looks a little too obvious. Maybe I’m missing something…
If a piece of garbage had just gotten hung up, inadvertently, and the kids were staring up at it, suggesting a salute maybe.
What I like about Banksy, apart from the wit, which even I admit isn’t particularly deep, is the way he sets his pieces in context. It isn’t just clever-clever grafitti plastered on a wall. It incorporates the medium and surroundings to make its point. This is a perfect example.
what i like is even simpler—in some stretch of urban space forgotten and unloved even by those who pass it every day, here’s this unmoored little puff of exuberance, as you peer sluggishly out the bus window, in no way expecting to have your gaze held; i saw a new one yesterday in the maze of town above city road that i only go through when the not-so-comfy 394 comes before the 38: a small girl sliding down a banister blowing bubbles—no political “point” really, unless it’s that a dirty concrete surface without a picture is less cheering than one with a picture, if you like the picture
come on like this there’s a kind of gift-economy generosity to them
The greatest contribution that Banksy, and others working in similar milieux, have made to our world is this:
They have emphasised that the VISIBLE is the PUBLIC. If you find Banksy annoying or vandalistic, ask yourself if you would prefer a big billboard with a picture of cheez whiz on it.
Didn’t think so.
They have emphasised that the VISIBLE is the PUBLIC.
Has Banksy painted the faces of passers-by?
I wish he’d used a real Tesco bag.
Sure it’s a real Banksy and not a clever Tesco ad?
Dave, do you mind telling me where I can buy this high-priced art you mention? I wish to pander to my faux-radical persona, but this art has so far eluded my bulging wallet, as his works are usually on a wall, bridge etc and hence a commodity out of my reach (other than when I buy the entire building or road). In fact, if Mr Banksy actually did as you suggest and did it on paper instead it would be far more accessible to people with the bulging wallets, those faux-radicals your (faux?) class warrior disposition seems to take such umbridge with. Please wipe that froth from your mouth, and just enjoy the satire people such as Banksy provide us with ;-)
Frank: try places like this if you want to know how people buy banksy art.
Why brilliant?
Instantly engaging, but it’s a bit confusing and doesn’t bear much thinking.
Yes, but at places like that they’re not buying it from him. Rather they are buying pieces that had already been sold and which the show’s organizer had collected.
From the man’s own website:
Aren’t street art auctions a bit lame?
I don’t agree with auction houses selling street art – its undemocratic, it glorifies greed and I never see any of the money.
What’s with all the gallery shows?
None of the print and painting exhibitions in proper art galleries are anything to do with me, it’s all stuff they bought previously. I only ever mount shows in warehouses or war zones or places full of live animals (I’m aware the pictures don’t stand up on their own).