As Henry David Thoreau states: “the world is but a canvas to our imagination” is pragmatic in the sense of what is defined as art. The mere act of shaping art onto the simplicity of paper is condoned while walls, streets, and bridges become the norm. A rugged description, yet so valid in this case. This principle is exemplified in the works of Banksy. Banksy is my chosen artist. His works are authentic, yet aesthetically defined in the most unusual places. His method of art is likewise fascinating – for he uses bold sardonic street art and dissident witticisms combined with graffiti performed in idiosyncratic stenciling techniques to portray various messages. As findthemag.com states, Banksy uses “broad, complex abstractions and reducing them into something palatable.” I agree with this statement. Also, the term Banksy is a pseudonym for his unique identity that remains quite unconfirmed. This is enthralling - an artist who refrains from claiming his own art? This idea might sound confounding to some, but it adds fervor to my fondness of his art.
Nonetheless, Robin Banx (original moniker, a shortened form of robbing banks) or Banksy are a few of the flamboyant monikers for a revolutionary street artist who is most known for his controversial stenciled pieces in public property. His stencils incorporated descriptively starching messages that are both humorous as well as meaningful. His messages ranged from antiviolence to an economic standpoint – an audacious representation
“In contrast to government-commissioned public art, street art is illicit and subversive in nature. Therefore, most street artists, including Banksy, use pseudonyms to avoid legal prosecution for vandalism.”(Chung 27) Banksy’s street art does not focus on competing with rival artists, but focuses on engaging with a broader audience in a deeper level. He provokes his audience by deeply expressing out various social practices that helps viewers to reflect and confront certain aspects together as a community. (27) The underlying message of Banksy’s art can lead towards an active involvement of street art within the community.
His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti done in a distinctive stenciling technique. Such artistic works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.
Born in 1817, in Concord, Henry David Thoreau became one of the greatest writers among the American Renaissance. Thoreau based his whole philosophy on the fact that man needed to get rid of material things in order to be an individual. An exquisitely educated man, Thoreau went to Harvard, which placed heavy emphasis on the classics. Thoreau studied a curriculum that included grammar and composition, mathematics, English, history, and various philosophies. He also spoke fluently in Italian, French, German, and Spanish.
Often multiple authors share a common motif, including these two distinguished novelists, Mark Twain and Henry Thoreau, both very idealistic men. In both of these wordsmiths most famous works, Civil Disobedience by Thoreau and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain argues that going against civil law established by the government or worldly superiors is acceptable under certain conditions. Contrary to the anarchistic parts of all our thoughts, willingly disobeying civil law should be deliberately examined and executed moderately. Only under certain conditions, such as when there could be a personal calamity, others that are crucial in your life could be harmed, or the law contains an objection to freedom, whether physical or
The reason he is able to continue to release controversial art in highly populated, public places without consequences to his person solely because of his anonymity, and that his work represents itself enough without him. His work is criticized by many, but as it is an inanimate voice of opinion, Banksy is able to use it to his advantage, and plaster his opinion on current issues, wherever he can/wants.
Attitudes towards the powers that regulate and control society have fluctuated throughout history. Modern dystopian Novels like 1984 and The Giver contrast highly to the Shakespearean tales of the Monarchs. In today’s world, the freedom of speech is becoming a higher priority and the readiness to challenge institutions of governments is shifting itself into the mindsets of the masses. However, instances of this right were required by history to be broken through its shell. This legacy takes the name of Civil Disobedience as written about by Henry David Thoreau.
seemed so early to require at once gave the preference to this recess among the pines,
In todays society we have a lot of comforts that we take for granted. Our daily lives are filled with plethora of gadgets, services, and machines that make our lives easier. Back in the mid 19th century there where not as many comforts as we have today. However, you would still have given up luxuries, if you decided to go live in a cabin in the woods. Henry D. Thoreau did just this when he built a house on the shores of Walden Pond. I believe that he did this to define the limits of his own strengths and connect with nature. This has made me come to reflect on what consequences do modern comforts have on our understanding of ourselves, and if we are out of touch with nature. My theory is that there are comforts that in
Throughout the course of time, Banksy’s street art is known for bringing a specific point across through his affective use of certain visual art that are very eye opening. For example, his signature use of black and white paints for the image itself and a very bold color such as red for magnifying the text. His art also brings up very controversial topics that most of his audience fail to realize or recognize. In one of his many famous pieces of art, he effectively uses the four rhetorical considerations and the two Aristotic considerations to convey to his audience that there are still many societies that have no interest in girls getting an education.
The British artist has no true public identity. With no background on the individual responsible for the mural it is difficult to know if he carries any clout in the political or sociocultural world. Banksy is known to be somewhat of a socialistic democrat, as implied by the genre of his art, but otherwise there is no information given to assess his credibility. Given that Banksy is quite popular and well known, his reputation reinforces his credibility as an opinionated street artist, but not as a credible resource in regards to immigration policy and government aid. Banksy’s affinity towards political and socially controversial art makes it easy to understand his interests in issues surrounding the treatment of migrants, refugees, and humanitarianism.
A bare wall in New York City is irresistible to street artists in neighboring cities, but particularly one known artist as Banksy. Banksy is not the artist’s real name, but he choses to use this name as a way to mask his identity. He creates controversial paintings by insulting the issues of today’s society on the sides of buildings, walls, and concrete sidewalks. He uses puns, powerful colors, and different images to depict certain issues or topics that are highly covered in the media. One of his most famous paintings is “Untitled”, but often referred to as “Follow Your Dreams, CANCELLED”. The piece was created in 2010 when it infamously appeared on the side of a cement wall. The painting is a powerful piece that exhibits a man going through
The nature of Banksy’s work is iconoclastic in the way he blatantly designs images to rebel governmental authority or depict the failings of
Art: the ultimate form of self expression. But, what constitutes an art? And, who decides? These very questions plague society as it tries to decide and define the official status of graffiti--art or vandalism? Because it has found its way into art galleries and because of the community of artists who challenge and inspire each other, graffiti should be considered art and as a way to express oneself.
Art is a persons’ opinion. The definition of art is the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance. There is no real definition for what is beautiful or appealing to the human eye. Banksy is said to be an artist by some and a graffiti lawbreaker by others. Basically, it is up to the person to define Banksy as someone who is doing the right thing verses doing the wrong thing. Banksy creates his graffiti pictures to make a stand for what he believes is the right way to look at controversial issues. Some people may not like Banksy’s graffiti because they do not have the same views as him. Some people might
Banksy is a very renowned street artist who keeps his identity unknown. His artwork is portrayed by “striking images, often combined with slogans, [which] engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed” (“Banksy Biography”). He first started his bold street art in Bristol, his hometown located in London, but quickly spread to the United States of America. In the U.S., Banksy targeted the most populated cities; this was due to the fact that it was easier for him to spread his messages. With a crowded location, his lessons will extent over an audience much quicker.