Banksy Is Probably Messing With Us And We’re Okay With It
By Helen Holmes
Sigh. Okay, plebeians of New York City, we can’t believe I have to say this, but when an internationally renowned graffiti artist decides to stage his next show/public exhibition in your own hometown, let’s refrain from pulling faux-meta retaliatory punk stunts, okay? Too late.
Mere days after the always mysterious street artist Banksy announced his intent (via his website) to “host an entire show on the streets of New York,” beautifully realized works of art began popping up on grubby walls from Williamsburg to the East Village. Mere days after that, people began defacing them.
It could be, perhaps, that this is all part of Banksy’s master plan — messing with his audience has always played a huge part in his presentation. His fascinating 2010 documentary “Exit Through the Gift Shop” plays directly into his more trickster-like tendencies. The artist introduces the audience to Thierry Guetta, a devoted Banksy fan who, through almost complete imitation of his hero, begins to create his own street “art,” which instantly becomes a massive success and nets Guetta an embarrassing amount of money.
Critics have speculated whether Guetta in fact is Bansky, weaving an elaborate web of found footage and spray-painted cinder blocks for us to stumble through. Regardless, after watching the film you’re left to wonder what exactly merits the honor of being identified as “art,” and what can be dismissed as mere plagiarized drivel. Such is the case with Banksy’s latest project — maybe stranger’s defacement of his work is what he planned for all along.
This ironic, is-it-or-isn’t-it-art approach to self promotion is reinforced by the accompanying text posted on the street artist’s website, which offers that to “enhance your enjoyment of the exhibits, an audio guide is provided via cell phone” — a small touch ripped right from mainstream art museums. Call the number provided, and a droll voice will fill you in on what you’re looking at: “Before you, you will see a ‘spray art,’” says the bored sounding male speaker. 50’s-era elevator music is tinkling away in the background. “Or maybe not. It’s probably been painted over by now. What exactly is the artist trying to say here?…you decide. Please do. I have no idea.”
Thanks to the internet, people lucky enough to find these transient art pieces/elaborate jokes/alien messages can immediately photograph and share them, an essential piece of the puzzle as Banksy rarely divulges the exact location of his guerilla-style sneaky paintings. If you’re looking to pounce before the crowds get there, set up a Banksy Google alert with tagged keywords so you can be sure that you’re the first (or at least second or third) to know when he strikes next. Here’s a helpful map to show you where he’s been so far! Happy hunting, art freaks.
