Forum Topic

Banksy

some are saying it's graffiti or criminal damage or that anyone can stencil an animal on a wall. I think his animal art is inspired, I wish he would come to Putney...

Adam Tripp ● 311d16 Comments

Yes, but choose his wall carefully.Agreed he's brill!

Robert Davenport ● 307d

I particularly like the pelicans snaffling the fish on the fish and chips shopfront.

Philippa Bond ● 310d

Perhaps sometimes graffiti is making a political or social statement.  One of the funniest I've seen was a DIY store advert at Christmas time (presumably aimed at women buying presents for male partners) saying "Renew his interest in woodwork ". Someone has scrawled over it "Saw his head off" ...Anyway, Banksy, unlike Keith Haring who did unauthorised art work on the New York subway, I don't think has ever been arrested, so there won't ever be a Banksy arrest warrant on display ...https://flic.kr/p/2q9Sjyx(From the Keith Haring exhibition at the Walker Gallery, Minneapolis)

Michael Ixer ● 310d

“Art is anything you can get away with.”― Marshall McLuhan, Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man

David Ainsworth ● 310d

Hello Michael,A difficult question to answer. As far as I am concerned, graffitti is "destructive" to the eye, a very messy mixture of nothing but mess.Banksy on the whole has amazing pictures.  I find the monkeys, the goat, the elephants, the fish fascinating and very pleasing, brings a smile to my face and not offensive in the slightest.Not much of a definition, but there you go....

Ivonne Holliday ● 310d

Interesting blog that raises some questions and a bit of history.Seems to imply permission is not asked or given. It may be given retrospectively of course a bit like some planning permission.https://pricelessblog.squarespace.com/articles/protecting-banksys-work

Ed Robinson ● 310d

to paraphrase a Judge "I can't define art, but I know it when I see it"...in my opinion Banksy's rhino in combination with the car and traffic cone is a work of art, the graffiti isn't. Of course many will disagree

Adam Tripp ● 310d

At what point does graffiti become artwork? That's a tricky discussion for vagueness theory? Or is it in the eye of the beholder. This seems to define Banksys pieces as artwork but a signature by a random youth as graffiti …https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c62r7zj6ndjo

Michael Ixer ● 310d

I don’t think any owners would complain, he has increased the value of their property. Literally given them money for free……. So you don’t need to worry

Emma Blackwell ● 310d

Ha ha - very good , Michael!

Jane Carter ● 311d

That'll be Cage's 4'33" at full volume ...

Michael Ixer ● 311d

If he has permission there is no crime - which is probably the case. Well the only crime being marketing it as graffiti that it probably isn't.I quite like the music analogy but the vandalism one works equally as well.

Ed Robinson ● 311d

Goodness, Ed, is there anything you are pro? Banksy is hardly favouring expensive areas and the local people seem delighted. Your analogy with classical music is just silly.

Jane Carter ● 311d

Does it matter if we like it?Does he have permission?If yes that's fine any everyone is happy.If no - then it's double standards.What next loud music through out the night into early morning as long as it is classical??

Ed Robinson ● 311d

I agree with you as I like Banksy's art too.

Ivonne Holliday ● 311d

Mr Hawkes wouldn't want that. Banksy has done graffiti in Gaza and the West Bank, for a long time.

David Ainsworth ● 311d