DB7

On his website it states:
Banksy - Cutting

"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).

Third Man

That's a Non sequitur, it sounds good but what it means I think is just because he doesn't get the money it's undemocratic but he can't really admit to accepting any of the money anyway - because the person receiving payment for the art would then be receiving money for criminal activities on behalf of the felon responsible for the defacement of public or private property.

Are there any barristers, law students or lawyers members here? Would be nice to know about this sort of stuff.
Simon

Steve Crook

I thought he was meant to be anonymous. How does anyone know that the comments on "his website" are really by him or that he has anything to do with it?

Steve

Third Man

Being in a rather cynical mood - I would not be surprised if Damian Hirst was behind the Banksy phenomena, it just smells of a rather big arty joke and even if it isn't - Banksy is the veritable victim of his own success.

Simon

Third Man

Actually I missed this snippet when I was scrolling through the posts and it is something I wanted to address. If say Banksy decided to put some sort of art/message/propaganda on the side of my building, I would just let him do it, then I would call in the builders a few days later have it removed brick-by-brick and consign it to a major auction house( hypothetically speaking).

But then you have the other scenario say you have a political campaign can you get Banksy to believe in it or can you pay him enough

Simon

rskershaw

How can he sell his work if it is painted on somebody elses property?

And what's all this about me having me leg off?

billy bentley

Third Man, I'm going to be completely "un-Banksy" like here and be polite. I don't think you get his work at all. How you ever came up with the concept that Banksy getting paid somehow compromises his integrity is way beyond me ! As for the Hirst/Banksy comnnection, it's the first thing I've read on this site more absurd than the Tommy Steele/Elvis Presley post. I mean you no ill will sir, you are entitled to your opinions and this would be a much duller place without them.

Third Man

Oh I do!! he stands up as a anti-capitalist.


Well if he stands for anti capitalism - his work being sold for a profit would go against his beliefs, therefore undermining his artistic intentions.


Well you've got my opinion now tell me why I'm wrong and argue against it! I'm all ears and willing to listen to anyone who's got an opinion on this subject.

Simon

Steve Crook

As above, if he remains incognito how can he say anything? About his political stance or about anything else. And if anyone claims to speak for him, how can anyone know if they really are speaking for him? We don't even know if him is a him

Steve

penfold

He doesn't....not his public works, whatever you may think of them, have been adorning Bristol for years, and now constitutes an art trail ....

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

penfold

Third Man is right to link Hirst and Banksy in the idea that they are both anti-capitalistic and anti-Art Industry....Banksy is more anarchic and, dare I say it, fun and populist...whereas Hirst is sort of attacking from the inside. His diamond encrusted skull is as good a statement against the Saatchi's of the art world as any I've seen. That he's getting the targets to make him very wealthy too is part of the joke...

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

penfold

Due respect Steve, but his politics are fairly clear after you've seen a few of his works. He lets them speak for themselves, which I quite respect. And he's a he.

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

Steve Crook

Of course. I just think that this thing about anonymity is part of the hype, or advertising that is used to promote him and his work. I'm sure that there are a lot of people that know who he is really.

Steve

penfold

There are a few...of course....but don't you think the papers have been after a name or photo for a while now ?? You have to bear in mind there is a dubious legality of some of the things he's done...

Bit of a Bay Window, what??

billy bentley

Penfold i was referring to Third Man's comments the Hirst might be behind the Banksy phenomenon.
There's a connection between Tommy Steele and Elvis, both started out as Rock'n'Roll singers, but that doesn't mean Elvis ws in Tommy's Morris Minor, or whatever it was. Banksy and Hirst must be Britain's top two young (ish) artists, no ?