My Reaction to ‘Banksy: Wall and Piece’ Book – 11.12.12
Published in 2006, ‘Banksy: Wall and Piece’ is a montage of pictures and quotes associated with British graffiti artist, Banksy. Less of a reference book, more of a piece of art in itself, the book is a quirky collage of ideas.
In the book, the illegal act of graffitiing is portrayed as if it is completely acceptable, ‘cool’ even, with inclusion of captions like ‘A wall has always been the best place to publish your work’. There are pictures of graffiti that have been sprayed onto the side of peoples’ houses. It seems to have been overlooked that even though the images sprayed are clever, political, witty etc, they are on the side of the house of an unsuspecting member of the public. This could influence readers into thinking that if they do graffiti it will be seen as artistic rather than vandalising.
On a positive note, Banksy fans will appreciate this compilation of his works. Each has a caption stating its location, making it easy for people to go and see them. This book shows the variation of style and topics that Banksy covers, from a skull and crossbones applied to a sheep’s back, to a paradise scene painted onto the Segregation Wall at Palestine.
Banksy’s polical messages are clever. As exhibited in the book, he staged a piece of 3D art in 2004 at Piccadilly Circus, of a dummy of a child holding a balloon with the McDonalds ‘M’ logo on it, being lifted into the sky. This was a representation of the idea that ‘McDonalds are stealing our children’, as the book quotes.
Even those with little or no prior knowledge of Banksy’s work can learn all about his ideas in this easy to digest publication. Iconic works like the Kissing Policeman are integrated with the lesser known, and humorous graffiti is scattered with the sinister. For example, two rats in suits stand beside a mouse-hole with a red carpet leading up to it, on the wall of The Ritz Hotel. On the next page is a kneeling prisoner with a black sack on his head, who looks as if he is about to be executed.
I consider Banksy’s works intelligent and thought-provoking, as contemporary art should be. ‘Banksy: Wall and Piece’ is great compilation of pictures of graffiti, but the glamorous discourse of the book is unsuitable.
The book is available to purchase on Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wall-Piece-Banksy/dp/1844137872/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364417162&sr=1-1.
In the book, the illegal act of graffitiing is portrayed as if it is completely acceptable, ‘cool’ even, with inclusion of captions like ‘A wall has always been the best place to publish your work’. There are pictures of graffiti that have been sprayed onto the side of peoples’ houses. It seems to have been overlooked that even though the images sprayed are clever, political, witty etc, they are on the side of the house of an unsuspecting member of the public. This could influence readers into thinking that if they do graffiti it will be seen as artistic rather than vandalising.
On a positive note, Banksy fans will appreciate this compilation of his works. Each has a caption stating its location, making it easy for people to go and see them. This book shows the variation of style and topics that Banksy covers, from a skull and crossbones applied to a sheep’s back, to a paradise scene painted onto the Segregation Wall at Palestine.
Banksy’s polical messages are clever. As exhibited in the book, he staged a piece of 3D art in 2004 at Piccadilly Circus, of a dummy of a child holding a balloon with the McDonalds ‘M’ logo on it, being lifted into the sky. This was a representation of the idea that ‘McDonalds are stealing our children’, as the book quotes.
Even those with little or no prior knowledge of Banksy’s work can learn all about his ideas in this easy to digest publication. Iconic works like the Kissing Policeman are integrated with the lesser known, and humorous graffiti is scattered with the sinister. For example, two rats in suits stand beside a mouse-hole with a red carpet leading up to it, on the wall of The Ritz Hotel. On the next page is a kneeling prisoner with a black sack on his head, who looks as if he is about to be executed.
I consider Banksy’s works intelligent and thought-provoking, as contemporary art should be. ‘Banksy: Wall and Piece’ is great compilation of pictures of graffiti, but the glamorous discourse of the book is unsuitable.
The book is available to purchase on Amazon - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wall-Piece-Banksy/dp/1844137872/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1364417162&sr=1-1.