Banksy.info in the news

[stuey09]

I got approached by a journalist for Membershiptoday magazine a couple of weeks ago. He wanted a view on Tower Hamlets decision to remove Banksy's work off the street. The argument for Banksy's work was to be representitive of the forum, so after it was written I mailed it to a random bunch of forum members for an opinion in order to ensure it was a concensus. Once it was finalised, the article was submitted. A counter argument from Keep Britain Tidy featured against us, but the feedback suggests that we have held our own. Here is what I wrote. Hope the concept is something that is held by the majority of members

It is no more unusual for an artist to be criticised during his lifetime than it is to see politicians using peripheral issues to divert attention from the real concerns of the public. So it shouldn’t be too surprising to learn of Tower Hamlets Council’s campaign against Banksy’s art.

Regardless of the council’s motives for this campaign, it is worth establishing that there is a difference between mindless vandalism and street art. We can all agree that mindless vandalism is a negative act that inflicts damage to a community. Indeed, shouldn’t the generic, physical destruction of local property, such as smashed windows, etc, be the type of vandalism concerning the council? Street art, graffiti, call it what you will, can actually be a credible, and perhaps the most honest, form of art that brightens up an area that would otherwise appear grim and neglected.

Given the thought and skill that has gone into Banksy’s work, it is difficult to accept the assertion that it is ‘mindless vandalism’. There is a very intelligent use of humour in Banksy’s work. It is neither threatening nor pessimistic in its message or appearance and although it is not intended to be aesthetically beautiful, it does, more often than not, provide a humorous take on a social or political issue. Part of Banksy’s skill is in his ability to provoke thought through his subject matter and therefore rather than being mindless, it is actually quite brilliant.

Also consider the fact that this art costs a fortune to buy. Purchased by the Angelina Jolies and Brad Pitts of the world, if it was down to the elite, you’d never have the opportunity to appreciate an original piece of his work. Banksy’s art has been provided on the walls of Tower Hamlets free for anyone and everyone to view. No elitism, no squirreling it away into a private collection, just art in its purest form, available for all to see. Where in truth is the negative aspect in this?

Besides, aren’t there far worse things for the council to spend effort and money on than some amazing and historic street art?

[funster]

+1 - thats really well written

+1 from me too, well done that man :-)

[lesbianwednesdays]

yeah apologies for that viz dig before big man, you know i was kidding, yeah?

clearly razzle. ;D


+1 every day for a week from me, short and very sweet, even my wife thoght it was a good argument - and she hates everything i like!

[top]

+1 stuey09 for keeping it real & speaking the truth.. too real for some though it seems..

[stuey09]

rudeboyrupert said:

yeah apologies for that viz dig before big man, you know i was kidding, yeah?

clearly razzle. ;D


+1 every day for a week from me, short and very sweet, even my wife thoght it was a good argument - and she hates everything i like!

Trust you didn't marry a Spurs fan though

[danvnuk]

You convinced me Stuey

[paulah]

top work Stu - very nicely put!

[lesbianwednesdays]

stuey09 said:

rudeboyrupert said:

yeah apologies for that viz dig before big man, you know i was kidding, yeah?

clearly razzle. ;D


+1 every day for a week from me, short and very sweet, even my wife thoght it was a good argument - and she hates everything i like!

Trust you didn't marry a Spurs fan though

kind of, her brother is . and i made him wear a red button-hole on our weding day, which he only noticed when his best mate, and fellow 'cock' pointed out to him that he'd been rinsed ;D

[paulah]

rudeboyrupert said:

, even my wife thoght it was a good argument - and she hates everything i like!

Always make me laugh when you post things like this Rupert! Can't be that bad surely?!

[lesbianwednesdays]

tg gvgJMNNN cghy gfV\\\ \zxbxv
\ a| \za BVASVGVF1 `XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

*edit* that's what zach thinks of it ;D (10 months tomorrow )

k aAKmkj ;Dszssssssssszssczxjhnhjnbhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhz\

Nice Job stuey. Its quite funny its even being debated whether the best examples of street art should be allowed to remain. Especially in a country that seems to have no problem with using every available space to be used for commercial street art (adverts).

[Harveyn]

+1 Stu - A well constructed point of view and a view I am sure that is held by many if not all forum members.

yep.. nice one stuey. I'd + ya if I used it respect nonetheless

[stuey09]

Cheers Peeps. It was done as a collective argument though, so it's a pat on the back for the forum as a whole. We can celebrate at the awards in the traditional style ;D

[paulah]

numusic said:

yep.. nice one stuey. I'd + ya if I used it respect nonetheless

Oh, it's dead easy - all you have to do is click on the little '+' sign under Stuey's name.

[stuey09]

finsburyparkranger said:

Nice Job stuey. Its quite funny its even being debated whether the best examples of street art should be allowed to remain. Especially in a country that seems to have no problem with using every available space to be used for commercial street art (adverts).

That's a great point Ranger and it would have been good to include it, but the word limit was 300, so I couldn't use it.

rudeboyrupert said:

tg gvgJMNNN cghy gfV\\\ \zxbxv
\ a| \za BVASVGVF1 `XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

*edit* that's what zach thinks of it ;D (10 months tomorrow )

k aAKmkj ;Dszssssssssszssczxjhnhjnbhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhz\

careful, I'm missing a B cos of a similar attempt to introduce a little un to the laptop

[lesbianwednesdays]

paulah said:

rudeboyrupert said:

, even my wife thoght it was a good argument - and she hates everything i like!

Always make me laugh when you post things like this Rupert! Can't be that bad surely?!

mmmmm......her default setting is to hate everything, then stuff she probably actually likes she makes out she just tolerates. it's like she can't be seen to be in agreement with me, she just puts up with my tastes

perhaps for the best, otherwise i'd never have anyone's objections to save me from bankruptcy ;D

numusic said:

rudeboyrupert said:

tg gvgJMNNN cghy gfV\\\ \zxbxv
\ a| \za BVASVGVF1 `XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

*edit* that's what zach thinks of it ;D (10 months tomorrow )

k aAKmkj ;Dszssssssssszssczxjhnhjnbhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhz\

careful, I'm missing a B cos of a similar attempt to introduce a little un to the laptop

Hw did yu just type that B then?, i have the same prblem, my little un ripped the ' ' key ff my laptp!

mydeaddogwontwoof said:

numusic said:

careful, I'm missing a B cos of a similar attempt to introduce a little un to the laptop

Hw did yu just type that B then?, i have the same prblem, my little un ripped the key ff my laptp!

lol...glued it back on didn't I, but it's still loose and looks a bit crap...not cool on a mac

[lesbianwednesdays]

i'm on my second keyboard, my laptop is only 4 weeks older than him, thank god sony took it back under warranty ;D

thanks for the advice but way too late, he loves this thing more than me.
he's gone back to bed now though so i'm afraid it's downhill from here on in

[bond]

Nice piece. We all agree that a lot of daubings are simply vandalism , yet in a free society have to also concede that they are important to those who leave them .

Yet Banksy's work is indeed thought provoking and in my view manages to remain cult even though popularity leads him into the mainstream.

The street pieces are clear and have a message. Many are simply just great pieces of art.

Councils seem to be split with their attitudes. Some are happy to leave work up and concede that Banksy is not just some bloke leaving stencilled pictures on walls . Other more narrow minded ones decide waste time, effort and tax payers money to paint over them .


One thing is clear though he has given joy to a hell of a lot of people and opened a lot of people's minds, myself definitely included to many other artists.

Long may it continue

[ethos]

I love the idea that some councils have, a vote on whether Banksy's work should stay or be removed.

[lesbianwednesdays]

bond said:

Nice piece. We all agree that a lot of daubings are simply vandalism , yet in a free society have to also concede that they are important to those who leave them .

Yet Banksy's work is indeed thought provoking and in my view manages to remain cult even though popularity leads him into the mainstream.

The street pieces are clear and have a message. Many are simply just great pieces of art.

Councils seem to be split with their attitudes. Some are happy to leave work up and concede that Banksy is not just some bloke leaving stencilled pictures on walls . Other more narrow minded ones decide waste time, effort and tax payers money to paint over them .


One thing is clear though he has given joy to a hell of a lot of people and opened a lot of people's minds, myself definitely included to many other artists.

Long may it continue

what he said!

[paulah]

mydeaddogwontwoof said:

numusic said:

careful, I'm missing a B cos of a similar attempt to introduce a little un to the laptop

Hw did yu just type that B then?, i have the same prblem, my little un ripped the ' ' key ff my laptp!

you should use zero for 'O'

[coach]

nice one stuey - i would +1 but have just used it - on you in another thread!
i find it amazing that some people cannot see how wrong it is to destroy street art, whether ripping off an invader to sell or institutionalised, by way of a local council, representing the people, destroying it. street art is intrinsicly transient, but to destry street art prematurely is insane. if you dont like it, at least appreciate that others do, and walk on by - i have to look at billboards advertising fast food restaurants that i dont enjoy seeing - so i dont linger, but move on.
i would be interested to read the counter argument - is there anywhere i can see it?
coach

[stuey09]

dropout said:

nice one stuey - i would +1 but have just used it - on you in another thread!
i find it amazing that some people cannot see how wrong it is to destroy street art, whether ripping off an invader to sell or institutionalised, by way of a local council, representing the people, destroying it. street art is intrinsicly transient, but to destry street art prematurely is insane. if you dont like it, at least appreciate that others do, and walk on by - i have to look at billboards advertising fast food restaurants that i dont enjoy seeing - so i dont linger, but move on.
i would be interested to read the counter argument - is there anywhere i can see it?
coach

It is a sound counter argument. The points that KBT made will appeal to your average Daily mail reader. I'll type it up tomorrow and post it.

[CHAMB]

written well........

[jam]

+1 stuey... you did a great job articulating what I feel is the consensus of this forum's views on Banksy's street art and the argument to leave it in place. Nice work fella.