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If an artist wants to put out art, why not..

Banksy doesn't hold back on his bland stencils, so why should anyone else?

Maybe we ought to stop moaning and get the stencils out

Haha

[raiden]

Look, I buy on both aesthetic and future value. Face it, this board would be pretty sparsely populated if no one put future prices into the equation. And face it, art has always, always been evaluated partly by its scarcity, especially in the post Warhol age, when mass production of art meant that perceived scarcity would be more of a factor than actual scarcity, as found with originals.

But beyond that, as Warhol eloquently put, "Making Money Is Art" and there is little that truly separates many of the artists out there beyond perceived value and PR.

You may defend Banksy all you want as an artist, but the ironic part is that to me, the marketing and PR are indistinguishable from the art with Banksy. His publicity stunts, high profile choice of clients, etc. all are appreciated as art, but are purely PR and marketing. For god sakes, the speculation is that Banksy is a moniker being used now by a team of artists all comprising the brand that's become Banksy. He is more Brand than human at this point when you really consider it. For that matter, where does Banky really begin and Steve Lazarides work as an agent of Banksy end? Or what percentage of "One Nation Under CCTV" was Banksy's and what percentage was the person who helped hold the scaffolding?

But I digress.

Fact is, Walker has been brilliant in realizing that your worth is related to your last price. Bravo Nick in bombing Brooklyn in advance of your Bonham's auction and pushing up those prices. Smart artist who now is in even more demand. Before the Bonham's Moona Lisa went for $50K, I barely heard him mentioned on this board. Half of his prints were still for sale on his website - a week later, they were all sold out, and he's some new sensation.

There are so many other great graffiti artists that I think are just as talented as Nick and Banksy, but until they start commanding the prices that make the corporate world take note and cause them to get books published, they'll be bit players.

Also, you must have pitty on us Americans. We have to buy with an eye to future value because 1) If I ever have to get my appendix out, my art collection is my collateral on my medical bills 2) The US Dollar is in the toilet (literally, I wiped with a $1 yesterday because its almost cheaper than Toilet Paper 3) As an American, I'm not supposed to know about art, I'm only supposed to know about making money, we're culturally retarded right?!

Lastly, ironically enough, possibly the only piece I've bought from an artist discussed on this board solely on artistic merit was Nick Walkers 'Nikers'. Ebay, $60 a year ago. I doubted anything would come of it at the time. I rather liked the naughty lass bending over.

[onemandown72]

Felt all of above are fair points Raiden, and a far more balanced view than one first given of Blek. I also agree with what you are saying re Banksy. However all the marketing & spin is nothing without talent to underpin it. I see all of this as a direct result of how Damien Hirst has manipulated the art market with his work. Initially I was never a fan of Hirst, but have come round to appreciate what he does and how he does it. He is a fantastic artist first and foremost, albeit one that has placed and used his art in a very effective fashion. I see Banksy in the same light. He is a very talented artist, within his environment. Without this talent the marketing & PR would be ineffective

[stender]

I think blek did a wrongun releasing so many prints at once and overpriced too imho and the fact they haven't sold out adds to that being the case.
Hopefully brp will think twice about releases and pricing next time.

Makes Dolk's print a bargain imho.

[artstylee]

You're being a bit of a baby. Either you like the art that's on your wall or not. What he does later shouldn't effect the way you feel about the Blek you purchased.

He has a book coming out so his fan base would clearly be expanding. Gaurantee 6 months-2 years from now you'll be thinking, Why didn't I buy some of those Blek Le Rat pieces when he flooded the market w/lot's of prints.

He's an artist that I believe know's a bit more than you about print releases and the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of releasing them in a given manner. BRP's ultimate goal is to eliminate creating an immediate second aftermarket for their prints. They want to have more control making themselves into a High End gallery in the process charging whatever the highest rate is that the public will pay.

PS. I GAURANTEE NW's "V For Vandal" starts selling closer to the 900 price it came out at.

I like Bleks work and so does Banksy so stop hating on him, he's an artists and this is his artistic choice. Who are you to judge.

[streetgirl]

Just a couple of points and because I had two pence spare, I thought I'd put it in.

Posted by bobbymeachamjr on Yesterday at 22:38
No disrespect, Blek might be a legend (whatever that means) but hes a mere squirrel looking for a nut compared to Banksys following.

bobby - in the world of art/business/music the majority are squirrels looking for a nut. doesn't stop their validity and worth within their given field.

Posted by bobbymeachamjr on Yesterday at 22:44

Yesterday at 22:40, heavyconsumer wrote:I wasn't moaning or blaming at all. I just don't think the more established artists on this scene are very worried about secondaty market print values in most cases. I know that some might be, but this is just a way for them to make money, especially someone like Blek, who's a proper street artist and all of a sudden he must be rolling in it, well good for him I say! If people wanna buy great, if they don't great. But this initial post was all about telling the artist he's doing something wrong! Seemed a bit off colour to me that's all. The one thing he isn't doing is putting a gun to our heads and saying "BUY or I'll shoot you."



A collector has every right to moan - ie. Buyer x buys Micallef last summer @5k. Now its 1K because he dropped 2500 prints. Sorry but valuation is integral. Its just the way our society is.

Whilst I understand the points being made, I find it very hard to believe that when they put together an edition size/run etc the priority thought isn't on how the runs will effect the 'real collectors' vs the 'flippers' - they may hate it but there's very little that can be done. We've heard all the talk about flooding the market to avoid the overkill, but in all honesty, if that happened just as many of us would bitch and moan about it because all of a sudden, it's less exclusive. Whether you're in it for the money or not, I am sure for most of us it's a pretty nice feeling you have something very limited on your wall/in your portfolio.

Hmm, might have over spent by a penny or so.

[artstylee]

Love the Book but not too excited that Shep Fairey's Studio One gallery charged me 40 dollars for the signed paper back edition, and it eventually came out on amazon for 15 bucks. I loved signed stuff but really would have like to have paid 15 and not 25 for his signature.

Love the book, inspirational, and actually he did give and a signed show print with that Royal Castle guard w/ the Krylon can. But still to see it come out at 15 on amazon hurt a bit.

A bit too many prints out there for the time being. But in the event that they sold out immediately this thread would be about, "DID YOU GET ONE" instead of hating the fact that it didn't sell out. Sit tight I gaurantee they wont last the summer.

Cheers

[graffoto]

selling out in an instant is not proof of being a great artist:
check www.countereditions.com if you want to believe that
there are lots of great artists available here and in galleries across the world some at reasonable prices too.

- ok not street ones but better known than many of the fast selling artists on this board

- just ask your self which ones will still be in galleries in years to come?
I think Blek is a pioneer and will always be remembered as such - I for one am happy to have him on my wall -

And you could too - because he's still for sale - lucky us... ;D

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