Jerk or genius? Debate over Banksy's month of art

[n2doc]

NEW YORK (AP) — The secretive British street artist Banksy ended his self-announced monthlong residency in New York City with a final piece of graffiti, a $615,000 painting donated to charity and a debate: Is he a jerk or a genius?

Banksy, who created a new picture, video or prank every day of October somewhere in the city, spent his last day like thousands of graffiti artists before him: He tagged a building near a highway with his name in giant bubble letters. The twist was that these letters were actual bubbles: balloon-like inflatables stuck to a wall near the Long Island Expressway in Queens.

As if to underscore his dual identity as both a street punk and an art-world darling, he also donated a painting that was auctioned off Thursday night for $615,000. The original painting first sold for $50 at a Manhattan thrift shop that benefits Housing Works, an organization that fights homelessness and AIDS. Banksy added a Nazi soldier to the landscape scene and Housing Works sold it in an online auction.

Throughout his 31 days here, Banksy put pictures of his work on BanksyNY.com, with clues as to locations but nothing precise. That spawned a treasure hunt by fans who tracked the works down, shared locations via social media, then swarmed to see them.

But by the time Banksy was done, New Yorkers were divided in their opinions. Some tweeted "Go home, Banksy!" Others declared their admiration.

more

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Jerk-or-genius-Debate-over-Banksy-s-month-of-art-4945423.php

[cali]

1. so that's it? He's either a jerk or a genius?

He could be both. Or neither.

I think he's funny. He sparks thought and debate. Put me in the pro-Banksey column.

[n2doc]

2. Agree

but that is the headline as written. I really like what Banksy does, for the most part, and respect the level of effort put in to this 'residency'. How many artists would just drop a 600K piece of art on a thrift store? Doing well by doing good.

Now, why someone would pay 600K for that particular piece of art, that's another story….

[tblue37]

3. I think the thrift store is where HE purchased the original painting, and

that the $615,000 is what a buyer bid to purchase it after he modified it. The money from the purchase was then donated to the charity that operates the thrift store, not exactly to the thrift store itself.

At least that's how I understand the article, which certainly could be more clearly written!

[Chan790]

5. Yes. Though the thrift store is run by the same charity.

It's part of Housing Works fundraising operation.

I'm just mad I wasn't in Central Park a few weeks ago when he was selling paintings from a street stall for $50. I'd have bought them all...I love his work. Even if I thought they were derivative works and not actual Banksy, I'd still have bought them and hung them on my walls.

[Recursion]

4. "He" (it's actually a group) is incredibly talented

And also incredibly manipulative, but at least very honest about it.

[Capt. Obvious]

6. Genius

[KurtNYC]

7. Genius

about the worst I can say is that his work will inspire the less talented to claim whatever stands upright as their canvas but that happens anyway.

[spanone]

8. i'll go with genius.

[Fantastic Anarchist]

9. Genius.

[trumad]

10. I think he is the master of stencil cutting........

and has an Army of Artist friends doing the actual tag. mho

[Bennyboy]

11. Absolute genius.

How his work is so good on so many levels. How he exposes the art world and the corporate world for what they are.... I've been following him closely this month and he has been the most interesting person on the planet all month long. The COKE BOTTLE collaboration to the NY TIMES OP/ED that was pulled for being too right on.......

[Bluenorthwest]

12. Collective Genius

I hope the artist formerly known as New York City will heed this month long wake up call.

[Whisp]

13. genious.

his political statements are very powerful. this for one:

Painted on the Israeli wall to keep in/out Palestinians.

Exit Through the Gift Shop is a great film about 'graffiti'.
The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1587707/

[wandy]

14. Jerk or genius? I don't know if I wanna play that game............

What I do know is that if I were wondering through central park a few weeks ago I likely would have picked up at least one.

Banksy sells work for $60 in Central Park, New York
http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/video/2013/oct/14/banksy-central-park-new-york-video

Why?
Not because I knew who the heck Banski was.
Not because I thought it would be worth more some day.


Becaiuse I like it.