47 votes

Banksy painting self-destructs after fetching $1.4 Million at Sotheby’s

9 comments

  1. [4]
    s4b3r6
    Link
    So, someone tried to sell a Banksy that the artist gifted... And it immediately self-destructed upon gavel-down. That sounds like an insurance policy against his art being in the hands of people...

    Unlike the other editioned iterations of this famous motif, the present work is a rare unique painting that was given to the present owner by Banksy in 2006 following the artist’s warehouse show, Barely Legal, in Los Angeles,” Sotheby’s said of the lot.

    So, someone tried to sell a Banksy that the artist gifted... And it immediately self-destructed upon gavel-down. That sounds like an insurance policy against his art being in the hands of people the artist didn't want. (Even if it was activated by someone on-site).

    The frame was (I think) installed in 2006, and had a built-in shredder.

    That's amazing, and forethought, perhaps.

    22 votes
    1. [2]
      Comment deleted by author
      Link Parent
      1. SleepyGary
        (edited )
        Link Parent
        It's not like it was shredded either it was rather widely spaced clean slices and looks like it failed half way, I'd definitely have that hanging just as it was if I had that kind of fuck you money.

        It's not like it was shredded either it was rather widely spaced clean slices and looks like it failed half way, I'd definitely have that hanging just as it was if I had that kind of fuck you money.

        7 votes
    2. [2]
      FunkyGenome
      Link Parent
      Call it DRM and laugh as they try to take you to court.

      Call it DRM and laugh as they try to take you to court.

      10 votes
  2. patience_limited
    Link
    If you've seen Exit Through the Gift Shop, the shredder is a classic Banksy move. He's a graffiti artist, explicitly producing for public consumption and satirical commentary on capitalist,...

    If you've seen Exit Through the Gift Shop, the shredder is a classic Banksy move. He's a graffiti artist, explicitly producing for public consumption and satirical commentary on capitalist, militarist society. I'm guessing he's uncomfortable with the private ownership and iconisation of his work, and gleeful at the opportunity to make its destruction before privatization into a public performance.

    14 votes
  3. Pilgrim
    (edited )
    Link
    Why are we linking to Russian State media?

    Why are we linking to Russian State media?

  4. [3]
    Staross
    Link
    Given the quality of the "painting", self-destruction seems appropriate.

    Given the quality of the "painting", self-destruction seems appropriate.

    1 vote
    1. [2]
      cfabbro
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      You know Banksy is a stencil graffiti artist and activist, not a painter, right? His work isn't about technique, it's about the political and social message behind it. That and Balloon Girl is...

      You know Banksy is a stencil graffiti artist and activist, not a painter, right? His work isn't about technique, it's about the political and social message behind it. That and Balloon Girl is unarguably his most recognizable piece.

      26 votes
      1. nsz
        Link Parent
        Also that one where a guy is throwing flowers like it's a grenade, the cops kissing, really so much of his stuff is instantly recognisable.

        Also that one where a guy is throwing flowers like it's a grenade, the cops kissing, really so much of his stuff is instantly recognisable.

        3 votes