Banksy in NYC - art, or vandalism?

[DisneyDreamer2504]

World renowned artist or not, the beauty and value of this sort of thing (and all art really) is in the eye of the beholder. Just bc some apparently well-known artist painted these, does not give them inherently more value, and honestly I think that the number of people who knew of him was relatively low (outside his scene) before all this. The idea that these buildings have gone up in value is quite humorous actually. No one may be calling the police, and I'm not suggesting they should, but the truth is most of these pieces will be gone and forgotten within 6 months.

And about him setting up a table in Central Park, I don't think it made such a social statement as they imply. Not that his name or info was on it, but even if it had been doesn't mean the sales would have been so much greater. And $60 may be a steal compared to what his pieces normally sell at, but it's still rather high compared to most art sold in the park. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an art hater or anything, just being realistic.

 

[zurgswife]

Art.

And if the building own catches the art before it is vandalized they have the ability to make a lot of money off this "vandalism" on their property. So my guess they aren't to pissed off. Also, the ones where they local graffiti artists get to it first probably really makes the owners made as they have defaced a valuable piece of "art.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

It's art.

 

[DisneyDreamer2504]

Update: the piece shown in the 3rd pic of OP is now covered in a clear plexiglass to protect it.

 

[Deb in IA]

Update: the piece shown in the 3rd pic of OP is now covered in a clear plexiglass to protect it.

Nice.

Wonder what Banksy has planned for Halloween?