TresSugar

Guerilla Artist Banksy Has Official Exhibit in His Hometown

TresSugar — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 03:00:00 -0700

Anonymous in the age of celebrity and making artwork with social commentary while other artists cash in, graffiti artist Banksy has intrigued audiences with his art and identity since he began stencilling/vandalizing public property in the early '90s. (No official image of the guy exists!) Known for installing his own work surreptitiously in museums, Banksy helped mount a surprise exhibit in his hometown - Banksy versus Bristol Museum. The exhibit is supposed to be Banksy's way of thanking Bristol for giving his street art its first canvas. Source

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New Banksy Work Appears. Vandalism, Statement, or Art?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:54:55 -0800

A new work by artist Banksy appeared on a wall today in London. The mural shows a child raising a plastic shopping bag as a flag. Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said he will have to force retailers to reduce the use of plastic bags if they do not take action voluntarily.

Banksy is a pseudonym for a well-known British graffiti artist. He is known for his beautifully detailed, unauthorized works, which usually include a deeper social message. One work, painted on the Palestinian side of the wall surrounding the West Bank, shows a trompe l'oeil image of a hole broken through the wall and a little boy on the other side.

In his manifesto, Banksy points to a graffiti campaign waged in 1974 against the wrongful imprisonment of a man named George Davis. The omnipresent tags reading "G. Davis Is Innocent" brought the matter to the attention of the Home Secretary, who re-examined the case, ultimately leading to Davis's release.

Though his work as an artist isn't entirely legal, his talent has inspired fans, like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, to spend $2 million on his work.

My question is this: Just because it's well-done and created with a higher purpose, is that enough to elevate Banksy's work from common vandalism? At what point does art eclipse illegality? How would you classify his work?

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Las Vegas Cracks Down on Graffiti By Swiping Licenses

CitizenSugar — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 10:00:40 -0700

The price of graffiti in Las Vegas is not only the eyesore but, according to the City Council member, a $30 million dollar bill on top of the tags. It's money that according to one councilman says could be “used for things like education. We can educated young people on how to do positive things.” The solution to stop the amateur Banksy-esque hooligans? Stiffer penalties.

The City Council of Las Vegas has just approved higher fines as well as community service to clean up the graffiti. If you are younger than 18, your parents will foot the bill - but if you’re older? That can of spray paint could make you find yourself doing hard time waiting for the bus. Taggers stand to lose their drivers licenses for up to two years. The tougher penalties aren’t just for the sake of punishment, but rather an easily legible plea to gangs who regularly mark their territory, to stop.

Is taking the keys to the car a fair penalty for marking up the streets?

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Briefing Book . . . Happy Bastille Day!

LibertySugar — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:30:58 -0700

Vive la France: Happy Bastille Day! - Mais, pourquoi? The history behind Bastille Day. - Boing Boing
McCain 2.0: Fast learner? John McCain looks at a computer. - Wonkette
Art: Bye bye, Banksy? Newspaper attempts to nail anonymous graffiti artist to the stars. - Gawker
Third Party: Only the issues? Ralph Nader to debate dummy. - Donklephant
Bush: What would Bush do? Ask the Magic 8 ball! - 23/6

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