Behind the Banksy Stunt

Thanks to our Grandmasters of the Arts Vincent Apa and Indianapolis Homes Realty, and all of our patrons, especially Bronze Bond, Patrick Hanna, M12 Studio, Jane Quale, and Constance Urist.

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[gardenhead]

Plot twist: Banksy was both the seller and the buyer

[moiradarling]

This was a great video but it just made me think about how much I love the word shenanigans.

[bloomee]

Auctioneer: "1.3 million? Sold!"


*turns over*



Everyone: "wtf"


Random guy in the crowd: "ILL PAY DOUBLE NOW"

[lorenabpv]

I don't have much to say about the critique of the art world and capitalism. But i feel a bit melancholic about this because of the theme of the art itself. Girl with balloon always felt a little hopeful, the half-shredded image makes me uneasy, sorta like how destruction seems to come for whichever hopeful people and times (maybe this is just a reflection of my pessimistic view of the world, but still)

[AChandle]

"I can't believe you morons actually buy this shit"


goddamnit, I'm in love.

[poisonpotato]

. ❤️
/

🙋‍♀️

[katelyns]

I find it ironic because art critics and scholars delve so deep into interpreting his art that they're missing his point of "stop taking art so seriously"

[caffeecup]

Buyer: I want your house for 4 billion dollars
Me: Sold!
*Detonates House*

[thatguythatgams]

Great video. I've never understood why Banksy's is so popular, their style was never particularly unique but now people call all stencil graffiti Banksy-esque which is a shame to the many talented stencil artists before and after Banksy. Their art tends to be so on the nose and superficial yet it’s often treated like its "deep" or subversive. I'm not saying Banksy is totally bad but it is absurd how most people would happily paint over almost any graffiti and arrest any graffiti artist except the mythical Banksy who gets their work covered in protective plastic, and on the news. The subversive artist, whose work society loves, hardly seems that subversive at all.

[russelldofrane]

As a professional picture framer and artist, this is FUCKING GENIUS on every level! If his art went through Sotheby's without a stunt like this Banksy's art would be dead.
So yeah. Well played Banksey.

[Oli.V]

I feel like the message would have been better understood if the canvas was more truly destroyed, like burning or ruining it in a more destructive way, I feel like the shredding (and the “mistake” that it wasn’t shredded all the way) is Banksy not committing to the idea of destroying the art, he’s obviously opposed to auctions and paying two much, and I feel like making a “new” work of art is shallow and covers up the original point he was trying to make

[dunderheadgood]

the high art community is so evil that this work will probably be worth way more now. banksy has become the thing he hated most

[CanuckJim]

The how-I-did-it video is him playing with us again. At 4m42s in this video, he's supposed to be soldering a wire but he's holding the hot as hades part of of the soldering iron. In the background are the knives that should shred the canvas but they're oriented so the canvas would past the blade instead of across it. I think he's having a wee laugh - good on ya, Banksy.

[luisfelipebayardomelgoza]

4:41 Apparently Banksy doesn't know how to solder. That makes me wonder if the video is fake. (He's holding the soldering iron from the hot part, a great way to burn his fingers)

[rysiaandrade]

Canadians (CARFAC) are working really hard to advocate for Artist Resale Rights. Meaning that an artist will be entitled to 5% of the resale of their work. This is an issue that has disproportionately affected Northern Indigenous artists. Maybe an interesting point to put into conversation with what's happening in England and the larger auction houses.

[NavajoNinja]

*True art makes you smile, not reach for your wallet.*

[dkpqzm]

That's genius! Art is art, it's whatever you want it to be. Shredding it makes it so much more unique.

[lucash]

And everybody (Sotheby's and Banksy) got paid. Mission accomplished.

[lauriehill_jpg]

This is such a great commentary on the work thank you for doing this. So many people have come to me asking for my views on this being an art student, and I haven't known where to start there's so much to say about it! And you did it in 10 minutes haha

[jonnyleeg]

I have never really paid attention to Banksy's work. Even when this incident happened it didn't really move my needle. But, as usual, the way you framed this event I have a new found interest and am going to look at Banksy's work more in depth.