[ruat caelum]

Here's one which is bound to get emotions running high:

What, in your opinion, is the most overrated Banksy image?

I am interested in hearing measured comments, reasoned arguments, or simply "I just don't like it". Clearly, there is potential for heated debates on this subject. I would simply ask that everyone respects the fact that others may have very different views to their own.

Please do not use this thread as an excuse to b i t c h-slap your fellow forum member, or to give gratuitous negative 'respect' to those you disagree with.

[ruat caelum]

First off: Laugh Now

I am fully aware that my view on this image is very much in the minority. I am also conscious that it is an iconic Banksy image which has appeared regularly throughout his career, most recently at the Barely Legal show in LA.

For me, this image is too easy. I've always imagined its conception as follows:

1. Banksy arrives back home from the pub late one night, completely pissed.

2. He crashes down on the sofa, opens another can of cider, and turns on the telly.

3. 'Planet of the Apes' is on.

4. After watching a few minutes of the film in a semi-stupor, Banksy slurs: "Hey! I've got an idea!!"

[rob123rob]

Anything with a smiley yellow happy face....(especially Grim Reaper)

[samba]

Oh wow grim reaper rules happy copper ok I agree but the reaper is mint but everyone has there own opinion yes

I wouldn't miss many of the rats though

[rob123rob]

Definitely agree with the rat thing too, but with Grim Reaper, I guess my issue with it is that it really doesn't have anything to say (at least to me)...and that's why I love Banksy's work so much, because usually there's something more than just a graphic image, there's a tiny bit of a message, political, social, or comical.....
Still, I wouldn't refuse a Grim Reaper for my wall, ever

[ruat caelum]

rob123rob said:

Definitely agree with the rat thing too, but with Grim Reaper, I guess my issue with it is that it really doesn't have anything to say (at least to me)...and that's why I love Banksy's work so much, because usually there's something more than just a graphic image, there's a tiny bit of a message, political, social, or comical.....
Still, I wouldn't refuse a Grim Reaper for my wall, ever

I agree regarding the rats, apart from 'Radar Rat', which I think is a great image.

Does your view of Reaper change by the fact that it is actually called 'Grin Reaper' (rather than 'Grim Reaper')?

Like many other Banksy pieces, its impact lies in the juxtaposition of two conflicting images. In this case, Death and a smiley face. Similar idea as for ' Flying Copper' and the riot police in 'Have A Nice Day' (the latter being one of my favourite Banksy images).

[ricosg11]

what abouyt the fact that death is sitting on a clock waiting for you to die.

[carl]

All the rats apart from Radar.

[wildbill]

ricosg11 said:

what abouyt the fact that death is sitting on a clock waiting for you to die.

or reminding you to live

[wildbill]

not sure about the most overrated image but I love the rats that say YUK next to the supermodel billboards

[Adamski]

Wow, so little love for the rats? I love almost all of them as they're the first Banksy's I started to recognise and notice, never occured to me that they would be unpopular. I would love some of them to be made into prints.

As far as current prints go, Applause has never really done anything for me, nor Laugh Now really.

[Strange Al]

My answer to this question depends very much on the context of the images. For me, many Banksy images lose their power when transferred from street to print or canvas. For example, I'm a huge fan of the rats. They're the first Banksy images I recall seeing on the streets and for me are the absolute classic Banksy's. I like their simplicity, their humour and the way they interact with their street environment (check out the Favourite rat thread started recently - there are some awesome pics in there). I also think the parrallels that Banksy draws between the rats and himself as a graf writer are brilliant. However, I'm not so sure that these images really transfer to print/canvas all too well. For me, a key part of the rat image is that they exist without permission on the streets. Once you've paid for a print and put it on your wall that message is lost. That said, this hasn't stopped me from getting a few rat prints for my collection - they're the classic banksy image after all.

GWB is another image which I don't think transfers particularly well from street to print/canvas. Again, once taken out of its urban street environment, I find the image just inane.

I could continue, though for me the most overrated image has to be the Paranoid Pictures. I simply cannot believe that the canvases are now changing hands for 10s of thousands. These canvases just remind me of the countless spoof T-shirts you can buy at any market or festival ("BedEx", "Enjoy Co*k", "Wild Mean Fairly Hip Kid", etc, etc). It's brandelism in its lowest form for me.

[finsburyparkranger]

Portaloo sunset, glastonbury festival. Total crap in my opinion (and banksy's).

[insite]

I always thought that the reaper was sat on the doomsday clock with a big grin on his face because we were doing his job for him.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_clock

[Curley]

Soup Cans...

[danvnuk]

I like Radar Rat - not a massive fan of the others...I love the Rats as stencils on the street, just not so sure they work as prints.

I second the Soup Cans as being overrated - seems a few artists have had a crack at doing something similar and the whole concept is a bit 'tired' IMO

Lastly - I Fought the Law- Totally love the image.....hate the colourway POW released it in, for some reason it just doesnt work for me....although saying that, Ive never seen one in the flesh so to speak - so could be speaking out of my manhole

;D

[pw]

the rats are great. and the most classic of all banksy images.

i think people are just bored of them cos there were always so many on ebay (fewer now though). thats possibly banksys fault for releasing so many of them but if there was only one or two rat prints i think they would be some of the most sought after.

[dgb133]

Not my favorite but I like the soup can because it's mocking pop art more than paying homage to it like most of the recent copycats. It's also significant because it's one of the images Banksy snuck in and hung in Museums.

I don't like the smiley faces either. Barcode and Toxic Mary (if that's what it's called I don't care for) And I know I'm in the minority here but have a nice day I just don't want hanging on my wall. Conceptually it's fine but visually I don't care to look at it.

[ell]

i agree with applause, just doesnt do anything for me. im not too keen on morons but i appreciate it more because of the irony.
and the soup cans. just doesnt excite me

[wezzley]

I love applause, prob my fav from the la set, I think the use of the new technique, a sort of photo collage & sheer size are what do it for me..aside from the quirky comedy value that is..

[BK83]

NOt really a big fan of Morons..... the concept is not that altogether original IMO.....

[tadghostal]

WSM.

Whatever the clever reference is simply does not translate at all, at least not to Americans (while I'd say most of the rest do).

And Toxic Mary. I hate that one, although the sentiment and message is dead-on. The image of "Mary" in any and all forms gives me the heebie-jeebies, and it is to be avoided at all costs.

The fact that one of my favorite artists would attack the senses by commandeering that image is only forgivable due to its sensible application. But that is like saying finger-nails on chalkboards works well on an industrial/techno track as a sound bed. It might work, but is still aggravating to the senses.

[rabbitlegs]

Girl with balloon for me....ok on street. Seems a bit lost on paper?

*open-fire*

[corblimeylimey]

Well we might as well pack up and go home, between us all we hate them all ;D

[dave313perry]

I dont rate the rats images, i think like alot of banksy images they are abit love/hate! Although Most of banksy's are a love hit!!! I love the Reaper although i havnt seen it in the flesh so i will have reserve judgment a little!

mainly Radar rat! i know its exclusivity but other than that i dont really like it, i suppose you could never really know if they were actually sprayed by him! what if one day he came out and said actually Joe bloggs sprayed then because i couldnt be arsed! that would be funny!

[lesroy]

Love Rat for me is just not quite up to his usual awesome rat stuff... I love all the rats but this one is just not my fav.

Favourite is the "Butler Rats" with the red carpet leading to their hole.

[orangematt]

insite said:

I always thought that the reaper was sat on the doomsday clock with a big grin on his face because we were doing his job for him.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doomsday_clock

Totally spot-on ...
'The Reaper' sat on his arse, atop the doomsday clock, Grinning cos he knows every second we get closer to midnight and APOCALYPSE .... He can keep his blade clean cos we gonna be doin the dirty for him !!!
Oi luvs it

[andrewd]

Placard rats. Well they looked awful on POW, as the eye was drawn to the placard not the rat. The rats look cool.
Applause.Still don't get it.
Virgin Mary. Looked C**P on POW 'no one,absolutely, no one wants to buy it'. Great in real life.
However, weak Banksys are rare.

[meatbag]

curley said:

Soup Cans...

agreed