bits and pieces from the rough cut of my thesis on the beloved Banksy, although the post from earlier today was apparently a hoax, still, i forgot how much love i have for him .... Banksy is a famous undercover graffiti artist from London, England and is a favorite artist of mine who attempts to educate the public on these issues that are “swept under the rug” by mass media. While Bansky explores a wide range of topics through graffiti art, I am most interested in his activism on environmental degradation, as well as his unique artistic approach to promoting “radical” ideas. Treehugger, a well-known environmentalist website, states that recently Banksy has focused specifically on environmental themes (Wachob, pars.1). He has a unique imaginative way of delivering a message quickly and effectively. For example, in his book Wall And Piece, he recounts a time when he hopped the fence into Central Park in Barcelona, and wanted to write laugh now but someday we will be in charge but after losing the stencil states “I checked my watch for the fifteenth time, and figured this was my best option- ticking off the time in classic jailhouse style, ” (Banksy, 2006) suggesting that the animals were in a prison like confinement instead of a zoo. Similar to what I hope to do, Banksy uses art to educate the public about topics that he feels are not properly unexplored and silenced in the media/traditional education system. He is only one artist of many that I especially admire because he aims to educate on topics I am interested in, such as our changing relationship with nature, but does so in a non-traditional way while still educating a large audience. We share similar ideals when it comes to the education system and art (seen as two separate topics, or combined). It has become apparent to me in this program that the contemporary education system is mainly used as a mechanism for social regulation. While my main focus is on Banky’s ability to deliver his powerful environmental messages so efficiently through one image, I am also interested on his views of education in today’s modern society. In his self published book he states, “A lot of people never use their initiative because no one told them to” (Banksy, 2006). It can also be argued that the “popular” art that we look at is really only made by a select few. Only a small population creates, purchases, sells, promotes and decides the success of art (Banksy, 2005). Famous graffiti artist Banksy (2005) argues that when you go to a gallery, you are simply a tourist looking at the trophy cabinet of a few millionaires. Furthermore, there is an absence of public conversation about the social role art plays in our society. And while education is known as critical for human growth and will occur with or without help from the educational system, art is not always recognized as central to the process (Kincheloe, 2003, p. 40-41). However, Kincheloe argues that through this process, if we take a closer look, art is omnipresent; it’s in our homes, on our tables, at our ceremonies and on our bodies and streets (2003, 41). And while some argue that art is for the elite, I argue that it should be for everyone. Considering I come with no formal training, the art that I have produced in my portfolio would be considered “low art” or “popular art”. This kind of art is created often with a political statement or goal in mind and there is typically a certain amount of risk involved. Banksy is a good example of someone who produces what could be considered “ low art”. Banksy takes an anti-capitalist, anti-establishment, and anti-materialist stance in a lot of his images, and many of these things (capitalism, materialism,) are what has led to our disconnection from nature and our impoverished relations. Images like those created by Banksy are important in a society whose education system is run by dominant power structures. While his work it thought to be offensive by some, it is admired by many for its accessibility, wit and humor.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 22:38:25 +0000