The street artist’s vision is simple: the latest series of graffiti has been designed to cheer up the public during a period when many of the news headlines have been bleak, and light has often been harder to spot than shade.
Banksy’s hope, it can be revealed this weekend, is that the uplifting works cheer people with a moment of unexpected amusement, as well as to gently underline the human capacity for creative play, rather than for destruction and negativity. Some recent theorising about the deeper significance of each new image has been way too involved, Banksy’s support organisation, Pest Control Office, has indicated.
For sure, @Bishops Finger !
One piece I read yesterday and can't find today lamented that it was uncertain how long Banky's inspiration for the series would hold out. As if each night the artist is churning out some new piece that the artist never thought of before. And the slashing out a new stencil.
That is isn't how this kind of work happens. We see evidence of careful attention to location and development of the theme and image to go with the location. The artist's attention details in the existing space is significant as well as the level of planning that would be necessary to produce this type of art in this way.
Does Banksy seek permission to paint or decorate spaces with clear owners? I would expect so.
How much time would that take? And working fast with a team and/or equipment takes coordination.
There is a lot behind these "simple" pieces that I think adds to their community value. A real work of love.
The creep!
Nothing moves a shame-faced slumlord to move faster than artwork that brings attention to the spot both by beautifying it and commenting on it. The billboard did look like it had been used by a giant cat as a scratch post.
Slated for demolition Monday, my eye! It looks like it'd been rotting there over a decade.
I hope the police have the courage (if that's the right word!) and GSOH to allow the Piranhas to stay where they are, at least for a while. I guess no-one's likely to walk off with the police box itself...
In the meantime, I see that the Cat is to be donated to an art gallery...
What's next, Preciouss, we wonders, yess, we wonders?
I hope the police have the courage (if that's the right word!) and GSOH to allow the Piranhas to stay where they are, at least for a while. I guess no-one's likely to walk off with the police box itself...
In the meantime, I see that the Cat is to be donated to an art gallery...
What's next, Preciouss, we wonders, yess, we wonders?
Re “ I guess no-one's likely to walk off with the police box itself...” look out for curly-haired men with long scarves offering jelly babies!
The BBC reports:
This work differs from the previous works by Banksy unveiled this week in that it is a detailed painting that appears to have been created with translucent spray paint.
The City of London Police said it was aware of "criminal damage" to the police box and were liaising with City of London Corporation which owns it.
A corporation worker was earlier seen barricading it off and asking spectators not to stand in the road near it.
A spokesperson said: "We are currently working through options to preserve the artwork." The sentry box is among many installed in the 1990s used by police officers monitoring traffic to prevent IRA attacks.
Unfortunately for us all the London Zoo one is the last of this animal series.
Pathetic vandal in a balaclava who 'tagged' the rhino was booed by the gathered Banksy fans, but I imagine that was as good as a round of applause in his tiny mind.
Unfortunately for us all the London Zoo one is the last of this animal series.
Pathetic vandal in a balaclava who 'tagged' the rhino was booed by the gathered Banksy fans, but I imagine that was as good as a round of applause in his tiny mind.
I wanted to give him a dry slap. But. I love both art forms. I can't see the police arresting Banksy, even if they could catch him red, or black handed. Maybe they would. For they surely should? If they're not going to be two-tier about it.
According to the BBC report quoted by dada, further up the page, the City of London Police referred to the Police entry box aquarium as "Criminal Damage", but it doesn't look as though the owners of the box, the City of London corporation, are too upset about that.
I presume the owners of whatever Banksy uses as his 'canvas' would need to make a complaint about the 'damage' before the police get involved.
I doubt many would.
Indeed not @Roseofsharon. But what do or are the police to do when they see someone stencilling or otherwise crafting often very territorial unauthorized art on property they don't own and have not obtained permission to? And as for the lanky arrogant wee tosser's action, is it art?
Does Banksy seek permission to paint or decorate spaces with clear owners? I would expect so.
Obviously I was wrong in my expectations.
He does seem to have a feel for what he can get away with, though.
I've watched a car disappear bit by bit each week as my carpool drove past that block in Detroit in college. No one would have cared, if it was painted, or bedazzled, or just disappeared. What would there be to report?!
Comments
The Pogues! I had no idea. It's playing now. Thank you again. Again.
Sentiments of Nam here.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/banksy-cat-billboard-cricklewood-northwest-london-b1175807.html
Well, they're certainly providing cheer! Keep up the good work, Mr B...
One piece I read yesterday and can't find today lamented that it was uncertain how long Banky's inspiration for the series would hold out. As if each night the artist is churning out some new piece that the artist never thought of before. And the slashing out a new stencil.
That is isn't how this kind of work happens. We see evidence of careful attention to location and development of the theme and image to go with the location. The artist's attention details in the existing space is significant as well as the level of planning that would be necessary to produce this type of art in this way.
Does Banksy seek permission to paint or decorate spaces with clear owners? I would expect so.
How much time would that take? And working fast with a team and/or equipment takes coordination.
There is a lot behind these "simple" pieces that I think adds to their community value. A real work of love.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/article/2024/aug/10/meaning-new-banksy-series-revealed-latest-london-artwork
Nothing moves a shame-faced slumlord to move faster than artwork that brings attention to the spot both by beautifying it and commenting on it. The billboard did look like it had been used by a giant cat as a scratch post.
Slated for demolition Monday, my eye! It looks like it'd been rotting there over a decade.
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/article/2024/aug/11/banksy-confirms-piranhas-seventh-animal-artwork-in-london
I hope the police have the courage (if that's the right word!) and GSOH to allow the Piranhas to stay where they are, at least for a while. I guess no-one's likely to walk off with the police box itself...
In the meantime, I see that the Cat is to be donated to an art gallery...
What's next, Preciouss, we wonders, yess, we wonders?
I think it had to take some time, too.
Re “ I guess no-one's likely to walk off with the police box itself...” look out for curly-haired men with long scarves offering jelly babies!
😆
Because I’m weird
This work differs from the previous works by Banksy unveiled this week in that it is a detailed painting that appears to have been created with translucent spray paint.
The City of London Police said it was aware of "criminal damage" to the police box and were liaising with City of London Corporation which owns it.
A corporation worker was earlier seen barricading it off and asking spectators not to stand in the road near it.
A spokesperson said: "We are currently working through options to preserve the artwork." The sentry box is among many installed in the 1990s used by police officers monitoring traffic to prevent IRA attacks.
...but I want CROCODILES! And I want them NOW!!!
The Guardian (with tongue firmly in cheek) coyly describes the latest work thus:
...a mural of a rhinoceros that looks as though it is climbing on top of a car.
Heehee...
The car is 'dressed' as a female rhino. 😂
Is it? I must have missed ahem something...do explain - enquiring (and prurient) minds need to know...
(Do you mean the traffic cone on the car's bonnet? Either way, the whole work is highly entertaining...).
Come on, Banksy - I wants me CROCODILES!!!
Well, that was unexpected!
And really funny.
And very clever.
A gorilla lifting up the bottom edge of the shutter letting out the inhabitants..
Fantastic!
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c623qjpgew4o
@Bishops Finger I imagine some of the eyes belong to CROCODILES!
https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/article/2024/aug/13/banksy-rhino-artwork-london-defaced-graffiti-tag
Thanks @Kendel - beat me to it. Yes, the Crocodiles are on their way...
Indeed.
(Shame about the Rhino - hopefully, he can be mended).
Unfortunately for us all the London Zoo one is the last of this animal series.
Pathetic vandal in a balaclava who 'tagged' the rhino was booed by the gathered Banksy fans, but I imagine that was as good as a round of applause in his tiny mind.
Just me, then?
(It’s a very cute creature from Star Trek: Lower Decks. Yes, very cute, but…)
https://youtu.be/bcVUBw8nAJw?si=fC9xvZgnZ52jvI7j
In the distance, a falsetto voice says, “Moopsy!”
I wanted to give him a dry slap. But. I love both art forms. I can't see the police arresting Banksy, even if they could catch him red, or black handed. Maybe they would. For they surely should? If they're not going to be two-tier about it.
I presume the owners of whatever Banksy uses as his 'canvas' would need to make a complaint about the 'damage' before the police get involved.
I doubt many would.
Obviously I was wrong in my expectations.
He does seem to have a feel for what he can get away with, though.
I've watched a car disappear bit by bit each week as my carpool drove past that block in Detroit in college. No one would have cared, if it was painted, or bedazzled, or just disappeared. What would there be to report?!
Like many of Banksy's canvases.
But not all.