[jessfrancis]

So, I'm an art student whose wanting to hear people's thoughts on Banksy (it's an assignment, and I've chosen to pick an artist I'm interested in to write about).

Do you like him - don't like him?  (I assume most on the Banksy Street Art Forum are fans but who knows)

Do you think he influences how people think? Inspires social change?

And the biggest question I have - do you think Banksy is political? 

Thanks - please do help, I'm open to anything!

[dotdot]

Interesting questions...

Before you continue please let know your thoughts then we can review how they change if they do subsequent to the views of people on the forum...

Oh and how did you hear of the forum?
Btw you are not the first to ask your range of questions .. So don't feel as if you're going to be 'ignored'.

First few words banksy is a concept latterly and and artist formerly, To some , and to others he's just a bloke with a few ideas and a lot of friends.

Everyone here came along to the party at different times when .. Affects how they view the situation.

If you arrived in 2001 your view is not the same as someone who sold all their belongings to buy a print in 2012.

.. Right now, give us a few more thoughts to make your assignment something you'll come back to in a few years.

[Deleted]

Never heard of him

[Street Art Fan]

Alot has been written about him. Here are a few articles mostly from the mainstream press to get your feet wet (apologies if you've already read them ).

www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/The-Story-Behind-Banksy-187953941.html

blogs.tnr.com/article/112522/banksy-will-ellsworth-jones-reviewed-sophie-gilbert

www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/banksy

www.stencilrevolution.com/profiles/about-banksy/

And to get a sense of his impact on the contemporary art market, read this brief Wooster Collective post about the "Bansky Effect".

www.woostercollective.com/post/the-banksy-effect

 

[jp]

For those that don't remember, there was a great profile about Banksy written in the New Yorker back in 2007...

www.newyorker.com/reporting/2007/05/14/070514fa_fact_collins

[jessfrancis]

Well, to give anyone whose interested more on me and what I'm writing. I'm sort of just looking at to how people have been influenced by him either personally or if he's inspired them to do something.

I'm more looking at his pieces that are publicly accessible - the ones that when the wall gets ripped out of a building solely because it has a Banksy on it.

I personally have never been connected to Banksy other than just hearing about his artwork in the news (I grew up in Hong Kong but am British). For me, the media portrayed him as an artist who took risks and made pieces that were universally understood. I saw him as someone who wasn't afraid to make a statement by spraying a stencil onto a wall whether it be in London or the Palestine Wall. So I admit, I don't 'know' him as well as others do on this forum.

And that's what I want to know, what you think about him whether you've been here since 2001 or have just picked up on Banksy. I personally feel Banksy has made graffiti and street art a lot more acceptable than it was and he's shaped how people view graffiti now but I want to know, has he inspired anyone in the terms of the political messages he includes in his work? Has it been effective for anyone to take notice?

Anything really - what are your thoughts?

[Deleted]

Have a read of 'Banksy: The Man Behind the Wall' by Will Ellsworth-Jones. Is he political, imo yes. His view of the Israeli wall of segregation, for example, is a noteworthy case in point. (See his Watchtower sculpture).

[jessfrancis]

Yes, I've thoroughly read that book and contacted the writer - I'm looking to hear individuals opinions on Banksy, no matter who you are 

[Deleted]

Is he political?....yes.
Has his art made a difference politically?.......no.

[dotdot]

Is he funny ? yes at times... on the radio .. he certainly is.
Is everything he does fantastic ? of course not.

Does he believe in charity ? well probably worth assessing how many of the print runs income went to charity.
including tesco bomb , flag , Very Little Helps , etc etc. (anyone else know the full gen on this?)

Does that mean he is political ? no it means he chooses who to give money to. (social).

Is he political ? yes
is he socially motivated ? yes
Is he an artist ? ... interesting question .... yes.

Is he influencial ? yes - he has inspired others to take up the sport.

let's not get hung up on the market forces conversation which could be had by some.

will he make a difference in the long run ? well if inspiring someone else to make a difference.. then yes.
personally .. i'd reckon no... i don't think that was an objective.

He is not what frank zappa was to Vaclav Havel... but he could be (but i doubt it..) - if you catch my drift.

is BANKSY a brand ? yes .. now he is.

Does this affect how others interpret the above ? yes , some.

Does he care ? does any artist care ? that is a redundant question and should be treated as such, even though it's a popular one.

... if you're in NØrway can you change the name to DöLK ? no - the two are not related , generally

reckon you could have a debate about social and political.. but hey that's not the subject matter is it ?

[Deleted]

Aug 19, 2013 15:06:50 GMT 1 jessfrancis said:

Well, to give anyone whose interested more on me and what I'm writing. I'm sort of just looking at to how people have been influenced by him either personally or if he's inspired them to do something.

I'm more looking at his pieces that are publicly accessible - the ones that when the wall gets ripped out of a building solely because it has a Banksy on it.

I personally have never been connected to Banksy other than just hearing about his artwork in the news (I grew up in Hong Kong but am British). For me, the media portrayed him as an artist who took risks and made pieces that were universally understood. I saw him as someone who wasn't afraid to make a statement by spraying a stencil onto a wall whether it be in London or the Palestine Wall. So I admit, I don't 'know' him as well as others do on this forum.

And that's what I want to know, what you think about him whether you've been here since 2001 or have just picked up on Banksy. I personally feel Banksy has made graffiti and street art a lot more acceptable than it was and he's shaped how people view graffiti now but I want to know, has he inspired anyone in the terms of the political messages he includes in his work? Has it been effective for anyone to take notice?

Anything really - what are your thoughts?

City planners, city councils, urban planners, architects, politicians, curators, artists, critics, school kids, grandads and grandmas to how the general public move through a city and perceive "public" space, how a people defines itself, and ultimately, how we define what is art. All have been touched in some way, shape or form by the actions of street artists. Many of whom were inspired by Banksy. If you're asking if he's inspired anyone to become an activist, or engage in moments of political activism. Then yes too. Though I imagine most of his audience were already of that persuasion.

[Street Art Fan]

Aug 19, 2013 15:06:50 GMT 1 jessfrancis said:

Well, to give anyone whose interested more on me and what I'm writing. I'm sort of just looking at to how people have been influenced by him either personally or if he's inspired them to do something.

I'm more looking at his pieces that are publicly accessible - the ones that when the wall gets ripped out of a building solely because it has a Banksy on it.

I personally have never been connected to Banksy other than just hearing about his artwork in the news (I grew up in Hong Kong but am British). For me, the media portrayed him as an artist who took risks and made pieces that were universally understood. I saw him as someone who wasn't afraid to make a statement by spraying a stencil onto a wall whether it be in London or the Palestine Wall. So I admit, I don't 'know' him as well as others do on this forum.

And that's what I want to know, what you think about him whether you've been here since 2001 or have just picked up on Banksy. I personally feel Banksy has made graffiti and street art a lot more acceptable than it was and he's shaped how people view graffiti now but I want to know, has he inspired anyone in the terms of the political messages he includes in his work? Has it been effective for anyone to take notice?

Anything really - what are your thoughts?

Bansky is a phenomenon. He didn't create urban art (he himself draws upon artists such as Blek Le Rat), but many would argue that he's largely, if not solely, responsible for the mainstream acceptance that it enjoys today. The "Bansky Effect" (a measure of his influence on the art market) refers to the high prices that many urban artists command in galleries and at auction. Some are uniquely talented and deserve their success; others simply piggy back off Bansky's notoriety and cash-in on the movement's popularity. A rising tide, the saying goes, lifts all boats - even if some boats are poorly constructed, have no business sailing, and should be left to sink.

Bansky's art can be political, but I don't necessarily view him as a political artist (unless one views the act of graffiti/urban art as inherently political). Some of his work can be funny and irreverent. Other works can be controversial and dangerous to the interests of state power (e.g. his installation at Disneyland of a life-size replica of a Guantanamo Bay prisoner, which was documented in Exit Through the Gift Shop). The fact that he has become wildly successful has complicated things a bit: how can he maintain his subversive, revolutionary edge when much of his original work is now collected by wealthy and powerful individuals; showcased at private galleries and auction houses (some of the world's most elitist institutions); and commands six figures? That remains the primary challenge Bansky faces moving forward, imho.

 

[Wearology]

I am reading Wall & Piece for the 9 zillionth time and on page 79 Banksy says something that may explain his absence from the art scene for quite some time.
He says "When the time comes to leave, just walk away quietly and don't make any fuss"
Maybe he took his own advice.

[Deleted]

Wear im sure "our leader " is just taking a break. He will be back. Just wondering if it be vip prints from now on.

[Deleted]

[Deleted]

Theoretical question. If Banksy was involved in a stage play, bank-rolled it, hooked up an amazing line up of musicians (Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size) to work on the project and acted as a exec-producer but kept his name off of the credits, and didn't advertise his involvement would anybody go to see the show?

www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/edinburgh-festival/10208319/Story-of-Banksy-philanthropy-makes-its-way-to-Edinburgh.html

[gravity1]

Very interesting... I remember seeing the tank back in the day. I'll deff check out the show as I'm usually at the festival.  Thanks for the post! 

Aug 21, 2013 1:19:33 GMT 1 @vivalarepublique said:

Theoretical question. If Banksy was involved in a stage play, bank-rolled it, hooked up an amazing line up of musicians (Massive Attack, Portishead, Roni Size) to work on the project and acted as a exec-producer but kept his name off of the credits, and didn't advertise his involvement would anybody go to see the show?

www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/edinburgh-festival/10208319/Story-of-Banksy-philanthropy-makes-its-way-to-Edinburgh.html