Banksy Shows In New York

by Art Fag City on November 27, 2007 · 9 comments Reviews

banksy.jpeg
Image copyright Vanina Holasek Gallery

It’s hard to know which celebrity artist to dislike more, sculptor Damien Hirst and his jackass affinity for labeling every new work, “his most mature yet”, or graffiti artist Banksy for his seemingly endless juvenile commentary on art. In a head to head match, it’s unclear who would win, though Banksy’s temporary “I can’t believe you morons actually buy this shit” splash page last year during the auctions certainly gives Hirst a run for his money.

Unfortunately, it would appear idiocy merely breeds more idiocy; the press release for Banksy’s upcoming exhibition at Vanina Holasek Gallery putting proof in that pudding:

Following record auction sales of both Warhol and Banksy, critics have examined the similarities in both aesthetic and content between the two artists, their interest in celebrity culture, and their examination of social values. Like Warhol, Banksy has become a darling of the stars, with his works gracing the homes of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, Jude Law, Damien Hirst, Kate Moss, Robbie Williams. Banksy is undoubtedly a major player in terms of advancing the envelope of what art is with the result that over the past several years, his art has escalated in value faster than pretty much any substance known to man.

Only the emptiest promotion would identify Angelina Jolie and Jude Law as the arbiters of good taste and a legitimizing force behind an insubstantial at best Warhol comparison. Granted, a press release probably isn’t the right place to look for measured evaluation of any artist’s work, but the statement above only mimics the kind of spectacle many celebrity artists have become known for. In fact, following the quoted paragraph, piled accolades only add further to the obscenity: “He is a visionary, the leader of a new artistic movement and the anonymous poster boy for free speech,” reads the release as though the artist had single handedly invented graffiti. Who knows why anyone buys this crap, but surely those who spend too much time trying to figure it out will lose precious brain cells in the process. As a measure of self preservation, we suggest at least steering clear of his opening in Chelsea December 2. It’s bound to be a mad house, and will continue to contribute offer little to the field of fine art.

{ 9 comments }

rodrigo November 30, 2007 at 2:56 am

in all fairness, banksy has nothing to do with this exhibition.

this show is just a bunch of private collectors pooling together and reselling for a profit. If I understand it correctly its all old work. To blast the guy just because some greedy re-sellers write exceptionally lame press releases that name drop movie stars is a bit odd.

I love your blog but if you are going critique someone at least discuss the actual work (as opposed to some third party’s press release that has nothing to do with the actual artist).

Last but not least: I’d pick Koons’ diamond as more loathsome than anything by Hirst or Banksy.

rodrigo November 29, 2007 at 9:56 pm

in all fairness, banksy has nothing to do with this exhibition.

this show is just a bunch of private collectors pooling together and reselling for a profit. If I understand it correctly its all old work. To blast the guy just because some greedy re-sellers write exceptionally lame press releases that name drop movie stars is a bit odd.

I love your blog but if you are going critique someone at least discuss the actual work (as opposed to some third party’s press release that has nothing to do with the actual artist).

Last but not least: I’d pick Koons’ diamond as more loathsome than anything by Hirst or Banksy.

bob log February 18, 2008 at 12:25 am

You can crap all over Banksy and Hirst. Meanwhile the at world toils endlessly about the deep conceptual and psychological ramifications of the thousands of contemporary paintings that regurgitate the same old circles and squares and figures and faux naive style etc. on a canvas with a slightly updated palette and attitude but that has been done over and over for hundreds of years.

bob log February 18, 2008 at 12:25 am

You can crap all over Banksy and Hirst. Meanwhile the at world toils endlessly about the deep conceptual and psychological ramifications of the thousands of contemporary paintings that regurgitate the same old circles and squares and figures and faux naive style etc. on a canvas with a slightly updated palette and attitude but that has been done over and over for hundreds of years.

bob log February 18, 2008 at 12:25 am

You can crap all over Banksy and Hirst. Meanwhile the at world toils endlessly about the deep conceptual and psychological ramifications of the thousands of contemporary paintings that regurgitate the same old circles and squares and figures and faux naive style etc. on a canvas with a slightly updated palette and attitude but that has been done over and over for hundreds of years.

bob log February 17, 2008 at 7:25 pm

You can crap all over Banksy and Hirst. Meanwhile the at world toils endlessly about the deep conceptual and psychological ramifications of the thousands of contemporary paintings that regurgitate the same old circles and squares and figures and faux naive style etc. on a canvas with a slightly updated palette and attitude but that has been done over and over for hundreds of years.

Art Fag City February 18, 2008 at 12:29 am

What’s your point Bob? This post didn’t mean to address the issues you bring up, only those relating to Banksy and Hirst. If you think those artists are contributing something valuable to the field spell it out.

Art Fag City February 18, 2008 at 12:29 am

What’s your point Bob? This post didn’t mean to address the issues you bring up, only those relating to Banksy and Hirst. If you think those artists are contributing something valuable to the field spell it out.

Art Fag City February 17, 2008 at 7:29 pm

What’s your point Bob? This post didn’t mean to address the issues you bring up, only those relating to Banksy and Hirst. If you think those artists are contributing something valuable to the field spell it out.

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