it looks like banksy got the tables turned on him http://art.blogging.la/archives/2006/09 ... te_b.phtml
KILL BANKSY I say this because Banksy has a magazine and website art education. When I look at any of those pieces I see a copy or attempt copy at another artist work from the last 10 years. large animals, taxadermy: damian hearst, maurizio cattelan Trucks with graffiti in a gallery: Barry Mcgee elaborate stencils: WK, Swoon, faile Modern cliche's in a rennasiance painting style: 1 in every art school culture jamming: a million 90's artists juztapozed sculpture in white: tom sachs and going back to 80's bullshit the only thing he forgot to rip off(maybe he is saving for his next show) is a group of naked women standing around(vanessa beecroft) and some candid snapshots of his friends doing drugs(terry richardson, ryan mcginley, etc...). I only see someone trying to make a name for themselves and not really interested in working on a solid group of work made from a genuine place. He is all over the place with his messages and mediums. This guy is playing the PR game on all of you. He has high price PR company working his art to every angle and media source possible. this is why you have heard about it, not because this work is so stand out. This dude is like a mixtape, alot of good ideas, that he didn't think of, all mixed up into a fucking mess. I say that equals [expletive deleted] because [expletive deleted] are the same shit, a broke ass bearbrick with two bit artist trying to make their version of something else. KR spends a huge amount of press to make sure that every fucking person at all interested in "alternative culture' knows about their shit. If you like banksy stuff then please dive a little deeper into the current artworld, there is some much amazing shit out there, here is just a short list of stuff: http://www.artcyclopedia.com/artists/ray_charles.html http://www.space1026.com/ http://robertsandtilton.com/ http://www.rvcaanp.com/ http://www.jacktiltongallery.com/ http://www.hamptonplace.com/innerworkings/ http://www.kavigupta.com/ http://members.aol.com/MadArtCtr3/kersels/kersels.htm http://images.google.com/images?q=m...ient=safari&rls=en-us&sa=X&oi=images&ct=title
I really am stoked Banksy is doing so well, and just because he makes an amount of money that is pretty standard in the "art world" doesn't mean he is part of the "establishment". I'd rather Banksy or Shepard Fairey have millions than the fucking Bushes or Hiltons. As long as he is cranking out politically motivated work that makes people think or be inspired, I'm glad he has enough money to do what he wants instead of having to work at Pizza Hut or do ad design for some oil company. Their popularity is one of the few things that gives me hope for humanity at this point. Having said that, it does feel weird to read this line "With almost all works priced in the $100K range, this seemingly gritty space was truly the realm of the art elite as actors, musicians, models & art world royalty vied for the “privilege” of purchasing Sir Banks’ new creations. Afterwards, ultra-VIP revelers repaired to the luxe Roosevelt Hotel pool lounge for some all-nite action." But the sad thing about the art world is that pretentiousness is often part of the game.
I bought two prints at the show and was kinda peeved when they changed the edition to 500 AFTER selling it out. On Friday it was stated to everyone as an edition of 100 for each print. When I went on Saturday to pick them up I was told by others in line that they were "thinking" about changing it to 500. But of course the decision was already made since they gave them to us numbered out of 500. I don't really care if it's 100 or 500 but I think they should have been clear from the start....guess they saw the dollar signs or something. I didn't feel like keeping two anymore and put one up on evilBAY....it sold in a couple of hours for $1,500. I know he made much more than $1million....probably $3-4million.
the print thing...and upping the run # from 100 to 500...i think that was all pre-meditated and was just another way that banksy was fucking with everyone who bought them. i'm glad you sold one on ebay. i would have too
a possible reason for no forays into photos of drug use is that Larry Clark has kinda dominated that franchise for a minute and then Harmony Korine made Gummo to close the file on 'things the camera shouldn't see' I think DMX watches it in Belly b/c it's the closest thing to a snuff film you can find in normal video stores. I throw in Larry Clark b/c he started Rosario Dawson and Chloe Sevigny who both turned out pretty good for starring in a ex-con/speed/heroin/quasi child pornographer's flick.
He was definitely fucking with everyone in line buying his prints. We were a living version of this print: More so since he had the real tee hanging right next to us..... On Saturday....he had a sign hanging behind the counter that said "Sponsored by Ebay".
I think about things like this quite a lot. Back when I was a wee punk kid buying Crass records I was stoked that there was information like this anywhere. Most kids growing up in the republican Reagan 80's only got our socio-political education from Crass, MDC, Dead Kennedy's, etc. and thank god for that! Now that "Punk" is so much bigger, sometimes it does feel like the rebellion is being "sold" to us. But is it really? With the exception of Rage Against The Machine, most of the "rebellious" stuff being sold to us is just mindless angry lashing out or violent thuggery, not anything that makes a point. In a day and age when everything is a commodity, and almost all culture is only experienced as a consumer product, selling a shirt that says "Destroy Capitalism" may be the only way to get the message out. And although I don't particularly want to destroy capitalism, I'm glad someone is getting some kind of message out. It seems that the only way to reach most people (at least here in the U.S.) is to sell them something.
On the edition size thing, I was told that only 100 were sold in the USA, so it was an edition of 100 - but 500 worldwide. More fun and games? Personally, the $5 poster was enough for me, regardless of edition size or whatever - however, if I'd known they would go for so much on ebay I would have been down there buying one and going for an insta-flip. That could have paid off my latest Celga bill AND made a politicla staement...or something.
By the way Rick, I totally hear you on that and your other points. You managed to articulate a lot of what I'm thinking.
I tried to get that out of here, but we order as a group and everyone else he likes this dude. I am alone in my hate for low level thought process.
I think the translation is being lost because this mystery man's work was set up as a formal "gallery showing." His stuff works so much better and is more impacting as installations. I personally love his work.
I don't think so Ramos. People should go on Woostercollective.com There's a ton of artists out there making edgy political statements with a little more style and humour.
also did anyone read this http://art.blogging.la/archives/2006/09 ... te_b.phtml banksy got banksied at his own show
I completely agree with Ramos. Banksy is merely a commercial version of the Situationists. With a smattering of 80's 'punk' tossed in. NO NEW CONTENT WHATSOEVER. Banksy=Paris Hilton for the psuedo hipster crowd. I base my opinion on 25 years experience in the 'artistic counter-culture'. That being said, I dont have anything against him, he has a good gimmick, a great PR crew and I hope he bilks rich folk forever.
