Art or Vandalism?

Street art by Banksy“A challenge to graffiti art is that it is forced on the public because people have no say in its production . . . Billboards, campaign ads, and flyers are also forced on the public.” George Stowers 2008

WHO IS BANKSY

An Anonymous artist

Active since 1990

Started working out of Bristol, UK

Art works? By Banksy

“We can’t do anything to change the world until capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should all go shopping to console ourselves.” Banksy

Art’s curious relationship with graffiti

Tools and Techniques

Tools used spray paint, stencils, airbrush Works have to be done quicklyCopies or steals from known artists and other

street artists

Satire

“I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance. . .that a young healthy child nursed, is at a year the most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food. . . “

Jonathan Swift ‘A Modest Proposal’ 1729

“Sometimes I feel so sick at the state of the world, that I can’t even finish my second apple pie”

Banksy 2007

Using Satire in art worksUsing humor or irony as a constructive social criticism.

Napalm Girl photoNick Ut 1972

Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald paint on ConcreteBanksy

Questions to discuss

• Does the fact that something is illegal or temporary mean that it can’t be seen as art?

• How would you feel if someone destroyed your artwork?

• How is color and line used in graffiti art?• How or why do graffiti artists use satire or humor

in their work?• How are the two quotes in the presentation

similar and different?

Project

Make a poster that uses an iconic image, a historical event and/or a current event to create a satirical advertisement.

Use computers, photos, paint and and found images.

The People’s Restaurant

CreditsSwift, Jonathan, A Modest Proposal, 1729

Ut, Nick, Napalm Girl, 1972

Stowers, George, “Graffiti Art: An Essay”, 2008, www.graffiti.org/faq/stowers.html

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