Comments on: Banksy mural accidentally painted over http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Sat, 25 May 2013 01:17:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: trippcook http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582932 trippcook Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582932 Seriously, though, isn't this how regular building owners feel when graffiti artists practice their art without permission on walls they don't own? I know this was a mistake, but I'm sure Bansky has put up shit without permission numerous times before. Looks like the shoe is now on the other foot. Seriously, though, isn’t this how regular building owners feel when graffiti artists practice their art without permission on walls they don’t own? I know this was a mistake, but I’m sure Bansky has put up shit without permission numerous times before. Looks like the shoe is now on the other foot.

]]> By: star35 http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583190 star35 Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583190 I live a couple of blocks away from this. It's only the latest instance of Hackney Council's obsessive campaign to make sure no walls are allowed to be decorated. A few weeks ago, further up the same street they painted over a 2nd Storey mural that has been there for more than 30 years, ignoring the property owner's wishes and much to the annoyance of a school that the mural faced onto. Only makes me more determined to graffiti everything that isn't actually moving. I live a couple of blocks away from this. It’s only the latest instance of Hackney Council’s obsessive campaign to make sure no walls are allowed to be decorated. A few weeks ago, further up the same street they painted over a 2nd Storey mural that has been there for more than 30 years, ignoring the property owner’s wishes and much to the annoyance of a school that the mural faced onto. Only makes me more determined to graffiti everything that isn’t actually moving.

]]> By: Itsumishi http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583448 Itsumishi Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583448 <blockquote>Seriously, though, isn't this how regular building owners feel when graffiti artists practice their art without permission on walls they don't own?</blockquote> I feel far more sorry towards the millions of people that are forced to look at giant banners telling them to Enjoy Coca Cola and wear Kayser Underwear (no matter what shaped stick insect you are). The only differences I see between street art and most outdoor advertising are a) a lot of money. b) street artists aren't usually trying to sell you anything. Rant aside The council shouldn't be defacing anyone's walls, stating that it's no different to a kid defacing a wall with a spray can just highlights the fact that there should be a difference between some kid and the council. The council should be held responsible to a far higher level.

Seriously, though, isn’t this how regular building owners feel when graffiti artists practice their art without permission on walls they don’t own?

I feel far more sorry towards the millions of people that are forced to look at giant banners telling them to Enjoy Coca Cola and wear Kayser Underwear (no matter what shaped stick insect you are).

The only differences I see between street art and most outdoor advertising are
a) a lot of money.
b) street artists aren’t usually trying to sell you anything.

Rant aside

The council shouldn’t be defacing anyone’s walls, stating that it’s no different to a kid defacing a wall with a spray can just highlights the fact that there should be a difference between some kid and the council. The council should be held responsible to a far higher level.

]]> By: Cnoocy http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582942 Cnoocy Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582942 Why is a city council painting someone else's property without their explicit consent? Why is a city council painting someone else’s property without their explicit consent?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582951 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582951 Watch them trot out some hackeneyed excuse... oh wait. Watch them trot out some hackeneyed excuse… oh wait.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583463 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583463 "b) street artists aren't usually trying to sell you anything." Banksy is selling his own name, as art, that's a large part of what he gets by on. If this had been some random tagger, would you still be all over the story? Of course not, it goes on all the time. Honestly, I love graffiti, but I would still be angry if someone struck my garage door (happens all the freaking time where I live) w/o permission. Just as this woman has the right to be angry about the council taking down her painting. But let's not confuse this with the majority of the graffiti that goes on out there. “b) street artists aren’t usually trying to sell you anything.”

Banksy is selling his own name, as art, that’s a large part of what he gets by on. If this had been some random tagger, would you still be all over the story? Of course not, it goes on all the time.

Honestly, I love graffiti, but I would still be angry if someone struck my garage door (happens all the freaking time where I live) w/o permission. Just as this woman has the right to be angry about the council taking down her painting. But let’s not confuse this with the majority of the graffiti that goes on out there.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582952 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582952 The Blur Crazy Beat CD cover had a slightly different image on it to the one painted on the wall. It looks like this: http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/1583879180_194407f1ab_o.jpg The Blur Crazy Beat CD cover had a slightly different image on it to the one painted on the wall. It looks like this:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/1583879180_194407f1ab_o.jpg

]]> By: Alex_M http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582957 Alex_M Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582957 The worst/most incompetent thing about this, is not only did they have an old address for the building's owner.. but WHY didn't they send a copy of their letters to the building itself?! I mean, shouldn't that be the FIRST place you try, anyway? The worst/most incompetent thing about this, is not only did they have an old address for the building’s owner.. but WHY didn’t they send a copy of their letters to the building itself?!

I mean, shouldn’t that be the FIRST place you try, anyway?

]]> By: imipak http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582961 imipak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582961 Here's the original piece: http://is.gd/2VqjJ Here’s the original piece:

http://is.gd/2VqjJ

]]> By: imipak http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582962 imipak Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582962 Arse! Wrong bloody is.gd link. Should be http://is.gd/2VqhJ Apologies. Arse! Wrong bloody is.gd link. Should be http://is.gd/2VqhJ Apologies.

]]> By: Matt J http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582967 Matt J Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582967 You make Hackney sound better than they deserve. Here's a quote from the BBC article: <blockquote>Ms Attrill, 50, a property manager who lives in the building, said workmen used rollers to cover it in black paint. She said: "The workmen were smiling as they did it - they thought it was funny. "I just burst into tears. But a crowd gathered and we managed to get them to stop before destroying it completely."</blockquote> The workmen didn't even stop when told to by the building's owner. Sue them and the council for criminal damage. That mural was priceless. You make Hackney sound better than they deserve. Here’s a quote from the BBC article:

Ms Attrill, 50, a property manager who lives in the building, said workmen used rollers to cover it in black paint.
She said: “The workmen were smiling as they did it – they thought it was funny.
“I just burst into tears. But a crowd gathered and we managed to get them to stop before destroying it completely.”

The workmen didn’t even stop when told to by the building’s owner. Sue them and the council for criminal damage. That mural was priceless.

]]> By: Toast http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582970 Toast Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582970 Almost all wall murals would benefit by being painted over. They almost universally suck. Almost all wall murals would benefit by being painted over. They almost universally suck.

]]> By: dragonfrog http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582971 dragonfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582971 Trippcook @1 Sometimes, I'm sure it is. It depends on the extent to which the building's owner gives a hoot what their property looks like or does to its neighbourhood, on how the property's owner feels about graffiti, and doubtless on the quality of the graffiti. Given that Banksy's work increases the value of anything it goes up on, he probably has a backlog of people who want his pieces on their properties. At least in my city, most graffiti is on city-made eyesores of brutalist grey concrete that couldn't possibly be made uglier. The relatively small amount of graffiti on private property is mainly on neglected ugly buildings which, if their owners cared the least bit what they looked like, would either be maintained or demolished. Unfortunately there are also graffiti writers who put shoddy lame work on well-maintained private property, and I wish there were some way of getting to them directly and giving them a shake... I rather doubt Banksy has not put up shit anywhere, with permission or otherwise. He may have put up mind-bogglingly beautiful art without permission, but not shit. Incidentally, I'm impressed you didn't use scare quotes - <i>...when graffiti "artists" practice their "art" without permission ...</i> - much more menacing that way, isn't it? Trippcook @1

Sometimes, I’m sure it is. It depends on the extent to which the building’s owner gives a hoot what their property looks like or does to its neighbourhood, on how the property’s owner feels about graffiti, and doubtless on the quality of the graffiti. Given that Banksy’s work increases the value of anything it goes up on, he probably has a backlog of people who want his pieces on their properties.

At least in my city, most graffiti is on city-made eyesores of brutalist grey concrete that couldn’t possibly be made uglier. The relatively small amount of graffiti on private property is mainly on neglected ugly buildings which, if their owners cared the least bit what they looked like, would either be maintained or demolished.

Unfortunately there are also graffiti writers who put shoddy lame work on well-maintained private property, and I wish there were some way of getting to them directly and giving them a shake…

I rather doubt Banksy has not put up shit anywhere, with permission or otherwise. He may have put up mind-bogglingly beautiful art without permission, but not shit.

Incidentally, I’m impressed you didn’t use scare quotes – …when graffiti “artists” practice their “art” without permission … – much more menacing that way, isn’t it?

]]> By: Rajio http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582974 Rajio Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582974 Hold the phone, you mean somebody made a bureaucratic mistake?! QUEL HORREUR! Shit happens. Stuff unattended outdoors is more prone to shit happening to it. It was a mistake which has been admited to and they are discussing what to do about it. Not a huge deal. Hold the phone, you mean somebody made a bureaucratic mistake?! QUEL HORREUR! Shit happens. Stuff unattended outdoors is more prone to shit happening to it. It was a mistake which has been admited to and they are discussing what to do about it. Not a huge deal.

]]> By: noahveil http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583746 noahveil Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583746 Best solution: Sue the city to pay Banksy to paint a new mural. Then Banksy donates the money to a campaign to remove every single member of the city council. Best solution: Sue the city to pay Banksy to paint a new mural. Then Banksy donates the money to a campaign to remove every single member of the city council.

]]> By: Anony Mouse http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582986 Anony Mouse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582986 Balls. I was going to show that to my girlfriend's brother when he visits on the weekend. I only live a few minutes walk away. Balls. I was going to show that to my girlfriend’s brother when he visits on the weekend. I only live a few minutes walk away.

]]> By: Anony Mouse http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-582989 Anony Mouse Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-582989 Also, fair play on Stokie for being the only place in London where you can gather an angry anti-authoritarian mob spontaneously within minutes; if a middle class, very polite, angry anti-authoritarian mob. Also, fair play on Stokie for being the only place in London where you can gather an angry anti-authoritarian mob spontaneously within minutes; if a middle class, very polite, angry anti-authoritarian mob.

]]> By: blueelm http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583253 blueelm Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583253 I think it's too bad that they can't leave things alone, but the hype with Banksy is so annoying. I do understand the loss of value though. That's really awful for the owner. I'd rather have my building covered with the less valuable graffiti though... or none. I think it’s too bad that they can’t leave things alone, but the hype with Banksy is so annoying. I do understand the loss of value though. That’s really awful for the owner. I’d rather have my building covered with the less valuable graffiti though… or none.

]]> By: the r kelly http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583006 the r kelly Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583006 As a law student I see two important issues: 1) this sounds exactly like 'trespass to chattel' which is just fancy tortspeak for saying that they harmed his property in a way that affects its value; and 2) from what I understand, the maxim "you can't sue City Hall" is figuratively if not literally true in most cases. also; 3)I study US law so I have no idea what the British do when the city acts negligently. As a law student I see two important issues: 1) this sounds exactly like ‘trespass to chattel’ which is just fancy tortspeak for saying that they harmed his property in a way that affects its value; and 2) from what I understand, the maxim “you can’t sue City Hall” is figuratively if not literally true in most cases.

also; 3)I study US law so I have no idea what the British do when the city acts negligently.

]]> By: jfrancis http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583272 jfrancis Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583272 I think I found a little one at the Salton Sea recently http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalartform/3901204313/ I think I found a little one at the Salton Sea recently

http://www.flickr.com/photos/digitalartform/3901204313/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583023 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583023 I live round the corner, and always thought it was an ugly mural (although I do generally quite like Banksy's work). I feel sad for the owner of the property though. I live round the corner, and always thought it was an ugly mural (although I do generally quite like Banksy’s work).

I feel sad for the owner of the property though.

]]> By: ill lich http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583024 ill lich Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583024 Ultimately everything is ephemeral; Leonardo's "Last Supper" fresco began to disintegrate before he was even done painting it. Someday the sun will burn out and all our art will be cold ashes-- enjoy it while you can. I'm sure during it's lifetime plenty of people saw the mural and enjoyed it (or were annoyed by it, also a valid response) so it served its purpose. So it goes. Ultimately everything is ephemeral; Leonardo’s “Last Supper” fresco began to disintegrate before he was even done painting it. Someday the sun will burn out and all our art will be cold ashes– enjoy it while you can. I’m sure during it’s lifetime plenty of people saw the mural and enjoyed it (or were annoyed by it, also a valid response) so it served its purpose.

So it goes.

]]> By: thebulfrog http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583283 thebulfrog Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583283 I'm amazed at Banksy's ability to continue pushing the limit. Even when he does art that's completely legal, it's still pushing buttons and getting the government up in arms. The fact that this was painted over renews the dialogue of 'what is art' and where the boundaries lie. There are so many artists trying to push the limit of art in galleries and 99 times out of 100 it's just pathetic to watch. Banksy, on the other hand, continues to fascinate and offend. How many other artists can say that? I’m amazed at Banksy’s ability to continue pushing the limit. Even when he does art that’s completely legal, it’s still pushing buttons and getting the government up in arms. The fact that this was painted over renews the dialogue of ‘what is art’ and where the boundaries lie. There are so many artists trying to push the limit of art in galleries and 99 times out of 100 it’s just pathetic to watch. Banksy, on the other hand, continues to fascinate and offend. How many other artists can say that?

]]> By: mrsomuch http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583029 mrsomuch Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583029 @12 THE R KELLY we generally get rather cross and write a letter to The Times. @12 THE R KELLY

we generally get rather cross and write a letter to The Times.

]]> By: arkizzle / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583291 arkizzle / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583291 Well I'll be damned. If I wasn't having this very conversation elsewhere on BB, yesterday. Raspop will be amused :) Well I’ll be damned. If I wasn’t having this very conversation elsewhere on BB, yesterday.

Raspop will be amused :)

]]> By: pelrun http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583038 pelrun Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583038 Trippcook, this isn't a case of "shoe on the other foot". It's exactly the same thing as regular graffiti - a third party has damaged a wall belonging to a property owner without permission. Only in this case the perpetrator is the council rather than a dumb kid with a spraycan. Trippcook, this isn’t a case of “shoe on the other foot”. It’s exactly the same thing as regular graffiti – a third party has damaged a wall belonging to a property owner without permission. Only in this case the perpetrator is the council rather than a dumb kid with a spraycan.

]]> By: nosarembo http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583296 nosarembo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583296 Um. A lot of the comments here boil down to, "some graffiti is illegal therefore it's ok to destroy all graffiti". Ok, some cars are used to ramraid shops. So I'm going to set fire to YOUR car. Haha, shoe's on the other foot now eh? Um. A lot of the comments here boil down to, “some graffiti is illegal therefore it’s ok to destroy all graffiti”.

Ok, some cars are used to ramraid shops. So I’m going to set fire to YOUR car. Haha, shoe’s on the other foot now eh?

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583555 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583555 This sort of thing is why Bristol council (Banksy's home town), has now decided that in future, there will be a public vote on their website over whether to remove or leave particular pieces of graffiti/art. (http://bristolgraffiti.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/bristol-city-councils-new-graffiti-policy/) This sort of thing is why Bristol council (Banksy’s home town), has now decided that in future, there will be a public vote on their website over whether to remove or leave particular pieces of graffiti/art.

(http://bristolgraffiti.wordpress.com/2009/09/01/bristol-city-councils-new-graffiti-policy/)

]]> By: Angstrom http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583044 Angstrom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583044 <blockquote>Damon Albarn's Blur commissioned the piece in 2003</blockquote> I find it weird that people draw a link between a commisioned artwork on private property and a thoughtless tag on an underpass. Just because it's both referred to as "graffiti" doesn't mean it's all the same you know. regardless of your artistic take on the work, it's both valuable and private property. Some money is used for bad deeds, so can the council burn mine?

Damon Albarn’s Blur commissioned the piece in 2003

I find it weird that people draw a link between a commisioned artwork on private property and a thoughtless tag on an underpass.
Just because it’s both referred to as “graffiti” doesn’t mean it’s all the same you know.

regardless of your artistic take on the work, it’s both valuable and private property.

Some money is used for bad deeds, so can the council burn mine?

]]> By: NoahApples http://boingboing.net/2009/09/08/banksy-mural-acciden.html#comment-583046 NoahApples Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-583046 I'm surprised at some of the blase reactions here. This seems in no way different than somebody walking into your house and painting over the art on your inside walls. Natural wear-and-tear of art is of course to be expected, all the more so for a work on the outside of a building, but this was clearly a premeditated act (albeit one on faulty pretenses). And the fact that the workers continued to paint over the piece after THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY told them to stop is entirely absurd. Considering that Banksy pieces have been sold at auction for over 100,000 pounds in the past, I would say that the building's owner should be in line to receive quite a tidy sum in damages. I’m surprised at some of the blase reactions here. This seems in no way different than somebody walking into your house and painting over the art on your inside walls. Natural wear-and-tear of art is of course to be expected, all the more so for a work on the outside of a building, but this was clearly a premeditated act (albeit one on faulty pretenses). And the fact that the workers continued to paint over the piece after THE OWNER OF THE PROPERTY told them to stop is entirely absurd. Considering that Banksy pieces have been sold at auction for over 100,000 pounds in the past, I would say that the building’s owner should be in line to receive quite a tidy sum in damages.

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