There’s nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place. -BANKSY. Emelina nyqvist graphic language mauricio o’brian cwk2
Graffiti: Illegal clutter on city properties, young anarchists rioting against society with the help of vandalism, wasting citizen’s taxes for the fun of it.
-You shall not destroy the clean and pure walls of our city, if you do you shall be arrested by the law enforcement and put in jail! This is a general assumption of the definition of street art & graffiti, a dated one, some might say.
If graffiti changed anything it would be illegal
The word Graffiti in modern definition is an illegal action. However its heritage is not considered as criminal (nor art). From the beginning, graffiti was about leaving a mark, recording a moment in time or spreading a message. Today the purpose is to make people stop and think while walking by, so in a way, the soul intention is the same.* The right to the free-spoken word is something that divides most people with an opinion about street-art into two. (Maybe this can be a matter of generation differences or class differentiation?) Those who are pro street-art often claims that graffiti is enriching city environments and helps spreading messages. These can be of different kinds, not all street artists have a political agenda when it comes to their communication, however, frequently there can be an ironic and slightly cynical tone in their work that binds them together.
He allegedly brought American hip-hop and graffiti in the early 80’s and is claimed to be one of the main influencers to the modern street artist ‘Banksy’. Keith Haring was an artist with his roots in pop art but also experimented with street style. He died young at the age of 31, but had in a few years broken ground internationally with his specific style of art. Haring was based in New York and friends with Jean-Michel Basquiat, another great name in the art world. The two explored graffiti and different styles and today are looked at as founding fathers of graffiti as we know it today. Street art comes in many different forms, not only tagging and spray paint. Looking at contemporary street artists in the 21st century, stencils, stickers and poster art is frequently being used.***
Anarchy in the U.K
In the eyes of the law it does not matter how or in what way graffiti is being justified: if there is no permit for “vandalising” a communal wall, it is illegal (no matter what your name is or if your actions are made in the name of art). For this reason, many of the big names in graffiti and street-art are pseudonyms to hide their real identities.
Londoncalling
There are many places claimed to be the home of graffiti and street art, this thesis will however use London as a base to strengthen the theory. London and smaller communities around, have a strong history of music and art. Hip-hop influences came from France and America and started spreading political views and messages. One of the names that keep showing up when searching the roots of graffiti is ‘Robert del Naja’, also known as 3D and future founder of ‘Massive attack’.
*http://weburbanist.com/2009/04/22/roots-and-history-of-modern-street-art-and-graffiti/ **http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/feb/06/massive-attack ***http://www.columbia.edu/~lnp3/mydocs/culture/Basquiat.htm
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?
Jeff Koon is a name worth mentioning, not as a graffiti artist but an inspiring artist to others. He is the man behind silly figurines as balloon animals and other banal objects, however, his installations can be seen in other contexts, for example in the modern, ironic, British street art.* *http://www.jeffkoons.com
2003, England, Tate Britain. A mysterious man is sneaking around the premises of one of London’s most famous museums that is the home to the largest collection of British art. The man does not stand out from the crowd, as a matter of fact; no one seems to notice that the man has successfully hung up a new piece on one of Tate’s walls. The piece however, does not belong to the historical range of art, it is however a genuine: Banksy.* Banksy is a pseudonym used to protect the true identity of what is believed to be 39-year-old Robin Gunningham, allegedly from Bristol, England. Seeing that Banksy for many years, and still is to many an anonymous artist, there are not many facts about him. It is however believed that he created his clever and innovative style sometime in the 90’s. He was part of the generation that was influenced by the hip-hop culture that was on its rise at the time and has claimed on his official webpage to have been inspired by 3D, one of the former graffiti artists and founder of the music group ‘Massive attack’.** The art and music scene was strong in Bristol and strong political views were taking form in the community. The political agenda (radical left) is something that has left its mark when looking at street-art influenced in the same way as Banksy. The upbringing and heritage of Banksy is without a doubt important when analysing his work. The 90’s in the U.K are strongly shaped after the anarchistic, underground music culture together with its riots against society. From the start, Banksy was mostly free handing his graffiti, however being an illegal act he later moved on to stencil work in able to save time before the police showed up.
* http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/3201344.stm **http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1825271,00.html
GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!
In able to understand Banksy and his work, it is important to understand the history of England. Seeing that a big part of his art is communicating a message, rather than just being clutter on a wall, one needs to take into consideration that modern England is still facing problems when it comes to politics, immigration and employment. Here already, it is clear that we are dealing with a thinker, an artist that want to say something (even though he sometimes can act very modest when receiving positive criticism.) Like Robin Hood, Banksy is an anonymous character that fights for the people. In able to do this, street art can be considered a perfect tool, seeing that you are painting on a public canvas for the world to see. Doing something radical like writing a socially critical message on a public wall is like taking back the power from the government, the authority. If you are an anarchist and believe in your rights you can, by these measurements, become a journalist of, and for the people. This is a lot of politics to take in, but let us look at a typical example on how to justify illegal graffiti, from an artist’s point of view, which is being brought up in one of many books about Banksy: You are an acceptable level of threat from carpet bombing culture.
Any advertisement in public space that gives you no choice whether you see it or not is yours, it belongs to you, it’s yours to take, rearrange and re use. -Banksy
Trains. Leaving marks and spray-paint on government property often triggers a social debate. Anger is being spread and a witchhunt in the chase for the guilty ones is stirred up. At a first glance, this might look like something obvious; it is illegal, ergo wrong. However, it is possible to look at the problem from another point of view. It is also possible to claim that the trains in fact, are property of the citizens of the town. Again it is a matter of tax money. Addressing the issue from this angle, (and of course diminishing it drastically), one might even claim that sins the trains are property of the people, they might as well use them in able to spread the word of the people. Enter, the political street-artist. As an outcast without any means to spread his cause, why not use public transportation as a tool to spread the message? After all, it is in fact his tax money that bought the trains to start with.
-There are crimes that become innocent and even glorious through their splendour, number and excess. -Banksy One of the most famous characters in Banksy’s art is the rat. He is portrayed in different situations together with clever and witty quotes (that does not make sense at all times). In general, the rat stands for something dirty, a bad character that is unreliable and that is spreading deceases. However there are different ways to interpreting the use of the rat in street-art. In one way it is reminding us of that we are part of a social class, the underclass that is being oppressed by the upper society. It can even be said that yes, the rat is normally known as a decease spreader, however it is also known for its survival instinct. This reminds us to stand up for our rights against social and political authorities. With this said, Banksy can be interpreted as an artist that believes in the ordinary man and is encouraging to raise our voices. Together with a bit of humour, he proves that with the help of laughter, any threat can be defeated. All voices can be powerful with the right amount or with the help of the right tools.
A MASSIVE ATTACK
Banksy started to become famous in London, late 90’s with his vast attack on the walls of the capital. He yet again proved that together with numerous acts, your voice can be heard. His marks hit the city like an organized plan and the word started to spread. It was not until a couple of years later that his fame reached higher levels. As it can be seen in the documentary about Banksy* (discussion if it is real or not can be made), his first exhibition over seas, L.A 2006, is showing when the stars of Hollywood stand in line to purchase his work of art. Ironic it may seem seeing that Banksy himself is not a fan of the industry and as he has claimed many times (on his webpage among others) feel ashamed and embarrassed for the public hysteria around his works. Although the high demand and extravagant prices must be seen as a contribute to the art, seeing that it is giving him the chance to travel and spread his art to all kinds of places around the world.
Aggressive art
Although the majority of the street-art style Banksy uses is fun (yet provoking) and sometimes cute in its own way, he sometimes takes other actions. It is, when looking at “installations” and the art that takes form of actions, where the true political views are being exposed. Banksy has repeatedly times broken in to public areas such as Barcelona Zoo or Disneyland California where a lifesize replica of a Guantanamo Bay prisoner were chained to the gates in front of one of the rides. As imagined, the Americans did not appreciate the “installation” and Banksy luckily got away with it. However, the point is that together with these kinds of action, there is another side of the artist that generally does not show. Looking at the typical street-art from Banksy he is questioning public property, politics and capitalism. By taking it even further with these measurements is proving that maybe there is not just a young boy angry at society underneath that mask, maybe there is a smart man with greater knowledge that we can not think of.
It’s all about the Benjamin$
Not too long ago, one of Banksy’s pieces were sold at a private auction going for 1.1$ million.* This itself is not something to raise an eyebrow at. It is however ironic when looking at the message it is sending. Streetart by definition is something that goes against social norms and laws. If the wall painted at were private and cleared for painting, it would simply just be ‘art’. The message behind the counter-culture is something that is questioning the concept of property. If I walk down the street and I see a wall right there in the open, what is it that tells me that I do not own a small part of it? (No one asked for my permission so why should I?) By leaving a piece of art on it, I am reclaiming that part and declare it as my own. Is it morally right to sell of a part of my visual area for someone else’s profitable interest? This is the logic behind pro street art. To simplify it one can say that the system, the society itself is being corrupt. The population of a country are the providers for the system in able to go around in the first place, therefor graffiti is surely an attack, however a legit one. Graffiti is the attack that is reclaiming the City as property, after all, how can we decide who the owner is from the beginning? Looking at the justification of an illegal act from this, slightly philosophical point of view, it is a little more understandable that most pro street art activists consider the laws as positioned in a “grey area”. After all, how can we call ourselves residents of a City if we do not own anything? Going back to Banksy and the irony behind selling and buying his art to ridiculous prices. As the man himself once said “I can’t believe you idiots buy this shit”. (You are an acceptable level of threat.) With this said, it is kind of amusing that in a lot of the art, he is using fake money as props, almost like he is playing a joke on capitalism, using its very own tool. Being against the industry of overprised “art” dealing, Banksy stopped signing his work many years ago, making it hard for both buyers and sellers to verify his art. He is playing with the galleries like in a huge game of monopoly. *http://www.theverge.com/2013/6/3/4391522/missing-banksy-slave-labor-mural-sold-at-private-auction
THE POET PRODUCES POEMS. THE PAINTER PRODUCES PAINTINGS. THE CRIMINAL PRODUCES CRIMES. –IF YOU CAN DO ALL THREE AT ONCE, YOU’LL REALLY CONFUSE THE SHIT OUT OF THEM.
A MAN COULD GET ARRESTED
Continuing on the track of graffiti definition. As mentioned, per se, you need two components in able for your art to pass as “street art�.
1. Illegal placing, i.e. not your property 2. A spray can or preferable colouring tool Now, not all street artists have a political agenda when it comes to spreading their art, some of them may just do it for the fun of it. Banksy is one of those guys that combine message and pure passion. There is however a third component to great street art, one that Banksy is a professional at, namely: composition in the matter of message together with placement. This is key to successful and at times, pretensions humour. This is one of the main reasons why street art (no matter how expensive the price is) will never be as successful in an art gallery as on the actual street. I repeat: never. The beauty with street art and its main roots is that it is something for everyone to enjoy. Because it is right there, on the public street that everyone passes in his or her own state of mind. In this way, you can create you own moment with that particularly piece, that moment when you cross the street (a little bit tipsy) and see a giant rat on the wall, wearing 3D-glasses. Only you know what you are thinking about and how it makes you feel.
THE SOUND OF SILENCE - Will the real Banksy please not stand up? Many rumours circulate the Internet, claiming to know the true identity of Banksy. Clever magazine journalists travel to what is considered his hometown in the chase of revealing the man behind the mask. However, being a man that (sure with illegal tools) fights for the little guy, the middle and working class, it may not come as a chock that people do not want to contribute with this reveal. Let us be honest, would it not destroy the mysterious image of a man, luring in the dark, waiting for the right moment to strike? The thought of knowing whom the real ‘batman’ is of course tempting, but at the end of the day most people want to protect their hero. This concept is featured in the book ‘you are an acceptable level of threat’, when the habitants of Bristol were being asked if they knew who the real Banksy was, the answer was a collective ‘yes’. (Quoting: even when it is bullshit.) Just by acknowledge a person’s existents you are contributing with the mystique around him. The thesis driven is that through all times, the leader of a revolution, the person fighting for a better society, has worn a mask (one way or another). From Joan of Arc to fictional characters as in V for Vendetta and later modern rioters like hacktivists group ‘anonymous’. It may seem a bit controversy to compare Banksy, a London based street artist with huge legendary freedom fighters. But really, looking at the message and diving into it, it does not seem that far does it? The difference is that Banksy is pointing out society’s problem in front of everyone to see, with the help of the dangerous weapon of all: humour.
But how does he do it? Banksy is one of the most famous “modern artists” currently active. After so many years in the anonymous spotlight, how is it possible that he has yet been identified (100%)? Of course there are many theories, some probably true, some not. First of all, working during the night under the protection of dark shadows probably helps. However there is one very simply explanation: People are egocentric. At most times, we do not care that much about what is going on around us. If you are stressed on your way home, you are most likely to subconsciously ignore the municipal workers on the street. Who knows, you might just passed the biggest street artist on you way home? Even if you did notice the man putting up a poster on the wall, and lets say you did approach him, asking him what he was doing? Most likely he will have an answer, handing over his business card and if you still will not believe him, handing over a number to his supervisor for confirmation. Who are you to question his story? Banksy has also stated in interviews that nowadays he is most likely to work with a crew that can keep a lookout for police, also he keeps a second backpack close by containing “stencils that looked like they were cut out by “an alcoholic with Down’s syndrome.”* So that if he were caught he could pretend being one of many copycats. *http://therumpus.net/2010/03/the-contradiction-of-contradiction-a-conversation-with-banksy/
England has ten billion CCTV cameras*, just like a vast “big brother” set. Which is ironic because “big brother” was named after a character in a book about an England with ten billion CCTV cameras. *Nobody is quite sure but estimates range from a lot, to a fuck of a lot.**
**You are an accaptable level of threat
Continuing on the path of society criticism: CCTV cameras. Small cameras installed all over London town in the hope and promises of a safer city. Sounds nice right? Not everyone agrees and, surprise surprise; Banksy is one of the naysayers. Again, when analysing his work, part from the rat and the monkey, cameras and quotes ridiculing them are often featured. One quote about CCTV that he uses is “One nation under CCTV”, which at first glance may seem as a wordplay on the American Pledge of Allegiance (one nation under god), it is however incorrect. Instead, the sentence comes from an album from American funk and rock band ‘Funkadelic’ called ‘one nation under a groove’. More relevant, the wordplay is of course criticizing the way authorities have had the English population fooled that with the help of constant surveillance, they will be kept safe. The ‘one nation’ part is referring to the cameras that are holding the country together, not by own will but by force. The whole message is extremely ironic, saying that crimes are still being committed, only now we can watch them take place. This can be referred to one of the “pieces” where a CCTV camera have been trashed, hanging on the wall, against it Banksy wrote, “What are you looking at?” (Excellent example of Banksy’s talent of composition and positioning.)
Again using the symbolism of Banksy being a political hero, there are still many actions that strengthen the theory. After hurricane Katrina in New Orleans 2005, Banksy travelled to the U.S and started spreading another message. After hurricane Katrina, the whole world could see that something wrong was going on. Questions were being asked: Why does it take so long time to restore? Is the president doing everything in his power to help? Can there be traces of racism found in the lack of engagement?
Banksy came to the city and (in his own way) helped restoring it. New Orleans is known for its vibrant art and music culture, and together with his art, little by little he placed is back where it belonged: on the streets. One of the iconic images is portraying a man with a very devastating look on his face, next to him there is a quote that reads, “follow your dreams”, right over it, there is a bright read sign saying “cancelled”. Again, playing with the obvious, Banksy is pointing out the problems that are right in front of us, saying –look, this is what is going on, change it. The more you travel in the world of Banksy, the deeper the knowledge about his messages and art gets. Banksy may be a man of few words but if you look close enough, it becomes more and more obvious how carefully he selects them. Many of his images are portraying soldiers in different situations. One of his most famous works is the one with a soldier aiming a sniper rifle when a kid is standing close behind him, ready to smash a paper bag behind his head. Again, the irony is clear, but also the serious message. Banksy has made many statements where he talks about war and how it is robbing children of their childhood.
THE GREATEST CRIMES IN THE WORLD ARE NOT COMMITED BY PEOPLE BREAKING THE RULES BUT BY THE PEOPLE FOLLOWING THE RULES. IT’S PEOPLE WHO FOLLOW ORDERS THAT DROP BOMBS AND MASSACRE VILLAGES. -Banksy
Love will tare us apart To sum up the works of Banksy (if that is in fact possible), he is an anti-hero that is using art as a way to reclaim the streets in a good purpose, after all, who is really pro-war? His style is to combine real world problems in a contrast to fluffy and childish features and comments. He is openly against war and capitalism, but still, many find Banksy himself as well his art, provoking. The answer to this we might never find out, it is however interesting to think about.
Due to the fact that street art is still illegal, Banksy is facing many charges if he were to be caught. People that hold grudges against him are trying to spread his face along with his identity on the Internet. The general feeling however when surfing around on different social medias, is that people want to protect his identity. Maybe to keep the fairy-tale alive? A myth is so much more exciting when you do not know for sure if it is true or not. The same with the doubt if ‘Banksy’ is in fact a single person, or perhaps a large collective of think-a-likes? I personally would like to think that he is a single man, fighting for his believes. All I do know is that if I ever got the chance to reveal him, I’d leave the mask on.
BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER
Many things can be said about street art and their makers, however one thing is clear: it is made by people, for people. Together with a message it is trying to make a difference in the world. In 2011, French artist JR made a speech at the famous “TED talks� that combined humour and serious topics around the globe.
JR has become an artist, like Banksy, that uses the obvious to point out a problem. He travels to different areas he sees in media in able to get his own perspective. Some of his most famous works features among others the Paris riots a couple of years ago, where the whole city was divided into class differences, where media played a big part portraying the people from the suburbs as violent and dangerous. Only with the help of a 28mm lens, JR went and actually talked to the people. Seeing that the 28mm camera was his only tool, he had to get really close in able to get a shot. This he said showed that the most important thing of all is trust. He later printed the (mostly amusing) images on huge papers and posted them in the riches areas of the City, forcing the bourgeois to come face to face with the ones, according to the media, where destroying their town. This is a classic example of how JR works. With simple tools he is building bridges between people whose paths otherwise would never cross. Later on he would continue his journey of public exhibitions. Again after watching the news he decided to travel to get his own opinion. Like Banksy’s controversial art posting in Palestine, 2007, this time the expedition took JR to the border of Israel and Palestine where he took images of people with similar occupations, doing silly faces. Like in Paris, he printed the images on huge papers, gluing them next to each other on both sides of the walls. At first he said, people were stunned when they asked what he was doing and the answer was “I’m putting up images of Israelis next to Palestinians”, he said that the people always went quiet after that and it was then he asked the question “can you tell who’s who?”. These are just a few examples of the work of JR. They show that with simple tools as paper and glue, anyone can try to make a difference in the world. Perhaps this is an evolution of street art, or it has simply gone back to its original roots.
GUERILLA MARKETING Like everything else in this world, when something proves to be working, someone else quickly finds a way to exploit and take advantage of it. Street art is originally made with the purpose of creating something that everyone can enjoy, without a message of brands and purchasing being forced upon them. However, with the big impacted graffiti and street art has had in the late couple of years, it is not that big of a surprise that large companies has jumped on the train to cheap and affective marketing. The purpose can be discussed and really it is up to each and one of us to decide whether or not we think it is right. One thing is clear though, there are some clever and innovative ways to use street art as a marketing tool. For a good cause, and some, not so much. A very ethical example comes from Advertising Agency: Ogilvy & Mather, Buenos Aires, Argentina for their client AMMAR. AMMAR is a non-profit organization that is working with human rights and to improve laws for sex workers that in the majority are women. A street art project was launched during spring 2013 called “corner�, using the style that has made Banksy so famous namely stencils on public walls. The images showed women posing as prostitutes on one side, while on the other side of the wall a child held their hand to symbolize motherhood. Again, using the fundamentals of street art and graffiti, pointing out a problem in society in able for people to think and react. *http://www.ibelieveinadv.com/2013/05/ammar-corner/
Another example on corporations using street art, Banksy style, is one of the world’s most famous warehouses: IKEA. First of all have a look at the differentiation here. IKEA the multibillion company that mass produces furniture at a low production and distribution price, could in one way be the face of capitalism seeing that the founder Invard Kamprad ironically enough, is dodging a lot of bullets when it comes to paying taxes in his home county Sweden. This by maintaining the company private, as well placing profits in different banks all around Europe. (No need to point out the irony of exploiting a country’s heritage and national colors, only to keep all the profit to yourself.) On the other side we have Banksy, who surely by now is in no need for introduction. (Let us just have a reminder of that he is not too fond of capitalism.)
Banksy has in his work a few times used the logo and corporal profile of IKEA to make fun of them. Having this in mind, the street art inspired marketing campaign from the company it self could be seen as either revenge or plain exploitation of a cheap and innovative way of creative adverts. Last year (2012), the campaign ‘people bring design to life’ could be seen in metro stations and public areas in Milan. The ads looked like typical IKEA advertisements with the touch of people and animals in stencils à la Banksy. The ads had, with the help of the stencils, a wormer feeling to them then the regular commercials that only features the products. Banksy has yet, made a statement with his personal opinion. *http://www.thelocal.se/31650/20110126/
DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER Graffiti and illegal street art has different reception to everyone. We all have different perception even thought we look at the same object. This is the fundamental beauty of street art, you are allowed to your own opinion. There is no critics in the world that can tell you what to think about Banksy’s latest painted elephant in the room, and guess what? You don’t have to make up your mind either. Banksy is one of the most controversial artists of our times and is the man behind ground breaking and criticising art. He is not afraid to speak his mind, and maybe that is the reason he has so many both against him, as he has followers. (Either that or the simple fact that he is braking the law while doing it.) Yes, he probably has earned his fair share along the way, however what the media forgot to tell you is that he is constantly donating money to different kinds of charity. In 2009 he donated a piece to New North London Synagogue for a charity auction, the year after he help raising money to a Russian anarchistic art collective called ‘VOINA’ that had been imprisoned. These are just a few example of his “goodwill”.*
*http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/banksy-donates-new-piece-for http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2010/dec/12/banksy-russia-voina-donation
To many the border between right and wrong is as clear as black and white, however when looking closer at pro graffiti justifications, it actually starts to make sense. Who is to tell you that the wall facing your bedroom window belongs to someone else? Not the property itself but the view of it. You are the one that wakes up every morning having to look at it.
And as the quote goes “better to ask for forgiveness than permission�, evokes a small anarchistic feeling, doesn’t it?
-Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head. –Banksy. “Asking for permission is like asking to keep a rock someone just threw at your head.” –Banksy.