Banksy Keeps It Fresh

Banksy stays true to his word and keeps it fresh at MOCA, changing up his exhibit with consistent new art work.

Here is a new piece featuring a heart shaped balloon with a band aid hovering above the to top of a chain link fence.

Interesting technique to keep people coming back to an otherwise stationary exhibit.


***Thanks to Clean Cut American Kid for the photo***

Banksy Keeps It Fresh

Banksy stays true to his word and keeps it fresh at MOCA, changing up his exhibit with consistent new art work.

Here is a new piece featuring a heart shaped balloon with a band aid hovering above the to top of a chain link fence.

Interesting technique to keep people coming back to an otherwise stationary exhibit.


***Thanks to Clean Cut American Kid for the photo***

Banksy's Traffic Signs at MOCA

Banksy with some modified traffic signs at his ever-changing MOCA installation.

The signs are single lane, and another turned into a gun.

Banksy's Traffic Signs at MOCA

Banksy with some modified traffic signs at his ever-changing MOCA installation.

The signs are single lane, and another turned into a gun.

Banksy - A Beautiful Mess and The Perfect Piece for MOCA

Another piece from Banksy at MOCA.

It seems like this is the perfect piece for the museum as it shows a guy in a suit fascinated by a (poorly) framed piece of graffiti on the wall. Meanwhile, the art is still spilling out all around the frame.

What a beautiful mess~

Banksy - A Beautiful Mess and The Perfect Piece for MOCA

Another piece from Banksy at MOCA.

It seems like this is the perfect piece for the museum as it shows a guy in a suit fascinated by a (poorly) framed piece of graffiti on the wall. Meanwhile, the art is still spilling out all around the frame.

What a beautiful mess~

The Newest Banksy Fakesy's Not Foolin' Anyone

We got some info late last night from Banksy Hunter Keith Toll, who is still doing an amazing job hunting Banksy, and chased down this new questionable piece, this time through his contacts. Keith's contact was reporting that he had just seen some new Banksy pieces go up on La Cienega Friday night, so new that the paint was still fresh.

The Banksy Hunter notified us and got photographer Listak to head over and snap some shots. Listak reported that the cops showed up soon after and were wondering if anyone had seen the stuff go up saying 'This wasn't here yesterday'.

But even though these are definitely Banksy images, and people wanted it to be a Banksy, we are highly doubtful that these are Banksy pieces. From the way the stencils are (not well) done, to the fact that they are on glass, to the way that it combines multiple famous Banksy pieces randomly together, this clearly is not Banksy. And the way all of it is cleanly located on one store front makes it seem like it could be an advertising gimmick.

Apparently, a few people did see the art go up. And what is interesting is that if this was an advertising gimmick, it was made to look like it was a street bombing.

But still, this one didn't fool anyone, and even LAist is calling it 'Banksy-esque'.


***Big thanks to M&F contributor Listak for sending in the photos***

The Newest Banksy Fakesy's Not Foolin' Anyone

We got some info late last night from Banksy Hunter Keith Toll, who is still doing an amazing job hunting Banksy, and chased down this new questionable piece, this time through his contacts. Keith's contact was reporting that he had just seen some new Banksy pieces go up on La Cienega Friday night, so new that the paint was still fresh.

The Banksy Hunter notified us and got photographer Listak to head over and snap some shots. Listak reported that the cops showed up soon after and were wondering if anyone had seen the stuff go up saying 'This wasn't here yesterday'.

But even though these are definitely Banksy images, and people wanted it to be a Banksy, we are highly doubtful that these are Banksy pieces. From the way the stencils are (not well) done, to the fact that they are on glass, to the way that it combines multiple famous Banksy pieces randomly together, this clearly is not Banksy. And the way all of it is cleanly located on one store front makes it seem like it could be an advertising gimmick.

Apparently, a few people did see the art go up. And what is interesting is that if this was an advertising gimmick, it was made to look like it was a street bombing.

But still, this one didn't fool anyone, and even LAist is calling it 'Banksy-esque'.


***Big thanks to M&F contributor Listak for sending in the photos***

Right or Wrong? Banksy's Newest Gets Protection

Banksy's newest piece just got covered with plexiglass. Some people think this is very wrong, and against Banksy's wishes and the purpose of street art. Click the jump for more

The London Street Art Design (LSD) Blog just posted a pic and video showing Banksy's newest piece being protected and covered by plexiglass.

LSD feels that street art is a 'temporary flash of greatness' and covering it up, even to protect it, is wrong. They feel it might even jeopardize Banksy's doing art on the streets at all.

While we agree that covering a piece of street art alters the essence of the piece. Still, we aren't sure whether it is a better thing to let the piece run its course naturally, or to protect it with something foreign to the streets, and the idea of street art, like plexiglass.

And the irony is rich how building owners don't want graffiti on their buildings, but when its a Banksy, they will protect it. Clearly, it has more to do with the financial aspect than love of graffiti as an art form, but it does start to represent a change in the way society treats things. Perhaps, if communities would ask, could this be a Banksy? or worth money? and maybe those questions would lead to more street art being preserved longer, in general.

Right or Wrong? Banksy's Newest Gets Protection

Banksy's newest piece just got covered with plexiglass. Some people think this is very wrong, and against Banksy's wishes and the purpose of street art. Click the jump for more

The London Street Art Design (LSD) Blog just posted a pic and video showing Banksy's newest piece being protected and covered by plexiglass.

LSD feels that street art is a 'temporary flash of greatness' and covering it up, even to protect it, is wrong. They feel it might even jeopardize Banksy's doing art on the streets at all.

While we agree that covering a piece of street art alters the essence of the piece. Still, we aren't sure whether it is a better thing to let the piece run its course naturally, or to protect it with something foreign to the streets, and the idea of street art, like plexiglass.

And the irony is rich how building owners don't want graffiti on their buildings, but when its a Banksy, they will protect it. Clearly, it has more to do with the financial aspect than love of graffiti as an art form, but it does start to represent a change in the way society treats things. Perhaps, if communities would ask, could this be a Banksy? or worth money? and maybe those questions would lead to more street art being preserved longer, in general.

New Banksy Poster for $5

Banksy is releasing a new poster print for $5. It features a Tesco brand petrol bomb.

The catch is, these posters are only available in person, in Brixton, U.K.. The internet is abuzz trying to get their hands on an affordable Banksy, and online forums are lighting up with people trying to line up a poster, or a mule, to pick one up.

The context for the image concerns some recent police raids aimed at squatters protesting a new Tesco store opening. After the police raid, a small riot occurred on the streets, and it took place right under Banksy's 'Mild, Mild West' piece portraying a riot scene.

We think it is an admirable thing how Banksy is using his art to make people aware of a socio/political situation. And it is amusing how people are focused more on getting the poster, than the message behind it.

New Banksy Poster for $5

Banksy is releasing a new poster print for $5. It features a Tesco brand petrol bomb.

The catch is, these posters are only available in person, in Brixton, U.K.. The internet is abuzz trying to get their hands on an affordable Banksy, and online forums are lighting up with people trying to line up a poster, or a mule, to pick one up.

The context for the image concerns some recent police raids aimed at squatters protesting a new Tesco store opening. After the police raid, a small riot occurred on the streets, and it took place right under Banksy's 'Mild, Mild West' piece portraying a riot scene.

We think it is an admirable thing how Banksy is using his art to make people aware of a socio/political situation. And it is amusing how people are focused more on getting the poster, than the message behind it.

Banksy's Elephant DID Make a Man Homeless

"If I’d kept my mouth shut about this tank [one assumes to Banksy], it’d have been here forever."

The Independent has posted an article by Guy Adams with information submitted from Zack Skelly including video clips showing Tachowa Covington during his last day at the 'Elephant' of a water tanker.

Even though the folks at Banksy'sElephant, the current owners of the piece and those responsabile for its removal, have vehemently denied Tachowa's living there at the time, these videos tell a different story.

"That was my shit," Tachowa says of the water tanker, as he describes how he was there in the tanker the night the 'Elephant' artwork went up. Tachowa says he gave permission to a man who came by, assumably Banksy, who asked if it was allright to paint on the structure. Tachowa granted the permission, but has regrets about that since. He says on the video, "if I’d kept my mouth shut about this tank [one assumes to Banksy], it’d have been here forever."

It seems that this man, Tachowa, really was made homeless, or, at least more so, by the removal of the water tanker.

And even if Banksy can't be directly blamed for making this homeless, the placement is puzzling. No one is accusing Banksy of intending to put a man out of a home. Still, this tanker had been at the center of a heated land battle between the local community association who wanted its removal, and Tachowa, who was petitioning for squatters rights. In light of all this background, one has to wonder why this piece was chosen for Banksy's artwork?

Banksy's Elephant DID Make a Man Homeless

"If I’d kept my mouth shut about this tank [one assumes to Banksy], it’d have been here forever."

The Independent has posted an article by Guy Adams with information submitted from Zack Skelly including video clips showing Tachowa Covington during his last day at the 'Elephant' of a water tanker.

Even though the folks at Banksy'sElephant, the current owners of the piece and those responsabile for its removal, have vehemently denied Tachowa's living there at the time, these videos tell a different story.

"That was my shit," Tachowa says of the water tanker, as he describes how he was there in the tanker the night the 'Elephant' artwork went up. Tachowa says he gave permission to a man who came by, assumably Banksy, who asked if it was allright to paint on the structure. Tachowa granted the permission, but has regrets about that since. He says on the video, "if I’d kept my mouth shut about this tank [one assumes to Banksy], it’d have been here forever."

It seems that this man, Tachowa, really was made homeless, or, at least more so, by the removal of the water tanker.

And even if Banksy can't be directly blamed for making this homeless, the placement is puzzling. No one is accusing Banksy of intending to put a man out of a home. Still, this tanker had been at the center of a heated land battle between the local community association who wanted its removal, and Tachowa, who was petitioning for squatters rights. In light of all this background, one has to wonder why this piece was chosen for Banksy's artwork?

Banksy Kills Yogi Bear

Apparently, one last tweak to Banksy's morphing installation at MOCA.

Banksy moves the roller, and the blood splatter outside, outside, and Yogi Bear is now visible under the roller.

Perhaps this is commentary on the loss of nature to development. But cool shot with the kids climbing on the piece.

And Banksy promised new works both inside, and outside of MOCA. Hope that the outside stuff includes some street pieces, as well as this MOCA installation.


***Pics from WalterCrunk***

Banksy Kills Yogi Bear

Apparently, one last tweak to Banksy's morphing installation at MOCA.

Banksy moves the roller, and the blood splatter outside, outside, and Yogi Bear is now visible under the roller.

Perhaps this is commentary on the loss of nature to development. But cool shot with the kids climbing on the piece.

And Banksy promised new works both inside, and outside of MOCA. Hope that the outside stuff includes some street pieces, as well as this MOCA installation.


***Pics from WalterCrunk***

Full Banksy Update at MOCA- For a Limited Time Only

In addition to yesterdays toxic golfers, Banksy keeps changing his installation at MOCA--images full of spray paint and heavy irony on canvas.

Banksy stays true to his word and keeps changing up his exhibit at MOCA.

He adds four new pieces that feature 'spray paint and heavy irony on canvas', as the new 'I Hate Mondays' piece details.

Dig the 'subject to availability for a limited time only. Apparently, a similar one was done in Bristol.


***Pics from WalterCrunk***

Full Banksy Update at MOCA- For a Limited Time Only

In addition to yesterdays toxic golfers, Banksy keeps changing his installation at MOCA--images full of spray paint and heavy irony on canvas.

Banksy stays true to his word and keeps changing up his exhibit at MOCA.

He adds four new pieces that feature 'spray paint and heavy irony on canvas', as the new 'I Hate Mondays' piece details.

Dig the 'subject to availability for a limited time only. Apparently, a similar one was done in Bristol.


***Pics from WalterCrunk***

Banksy Trashes Bin Ladin

Osama Bin Ladin gets killed, and people get rich?

The Poke is reporting that last night, the night after Obama announced that Osama Bin Ladin had been killed, Banksy stenciled 1000 trash receptacles in the poorest areas of Britain with an Osama image. The Poke claims (through an intermediary of a spokesperson for Banksy's spokesperson) that the stenciled are indeed authentic Banksy pieces.

Since Banksy's work is generally worth thousands of dollars, if these are indeed Banksy pieces, then a thousand of Britain's poorest families just got rich.

Not sure what the meaning is of seeming 'gifting' on the day of Osama's death. Maybe there is a deeper context to putting the image on a trash bin? Could it be Banksy was making up for possibly making a homeless man more homeless? Or maybe Banksy was trying to quell potential urban revolt in the poor, disenfranchised areas of Britain? Perhaps its to steer the conversation away from the talking points of the pundits on television? Or maybe this is reading too much into things and, like always, Banksy just wanted to keep folks guessing!

We have some reservations about this, in large part due to the sheer ability to stencil 1000 pieces in a night. We know that Banksy has a team, but even for 3 or 4 teams, it is quite an ordeal to stencil a couple hundred pieces in one night. So we are puzzled about the logistics of how this could be done.

Stay tuned to MELROSEandFAIRFAX for further updates, and keep an eye on ebay for Banksy's Osama Trash Bins.

And if this is Banksy, perhaps 'philanthropist' should be added to Banksy's title, along with 'vandal'.


***UPDATE: This story did not really happen. It is from a publication that is like the Onion, which is a (hilarious) parody news site. So, great story, but a parody, not truth.***



***Big thanks to Dennis from ColorsinLA for sending in the tip!***

Banksy Trashes Bin Ladin

Osama Bin Ladin gets killed, and people get rich?

The Poke is reporting that last night, the night after Obama announced that Osama Bin Ladin had been killed, Banksy stenciled 1000 trash receptacles in the poorest areas of Britain with an Osama image. The Poke claims (through an intermediary of a spokesperson for Banksy's spokesperson) that the stenciled are indeed authentic Banksy pieces.

Since Banksy's work is generally worth thousands of dollars, if these are indeed Banksy pieces, then a thousand of Britain's poorest families just got rich.

Not sure what the meaning is of seeming 'gifting' on the day of Osama's death. Maybe there is a deeper context to putting the image on a trash bin? Could it be Banksy was making up for possibly making a homeless man more homeless? Or maybe Banksy was trying to quell potential urban revolt in the poor, disenfranchised areas of Britain? Perhaps its to steer the conversation away from the talking points of the pundits on television? Or maybe this is reading too much into things and, like always, Banksy just wanted to keep folks guessing!

We have some reservations about this, in large part due to the sheer ability to stencil 1000 pieces in a night. We know that Banksy has a team, but even for 3 or 4 teams, it is quite an ordeal to stencil a couple hundred pieces in one night. So we are puzzled about the logistics of how this could be done.

Stay tuned to MELROSEandFAIRFAX for further updates, and keep an eye on ebay for Banksy's Osama Trash Bins.

And if this is Banksy, perhaps 'philanthropist' should be added to Banksy's title, along with 'vandal'.


***UPDATE: This story did not really happen. It is from a publication that is like the Onion, which is a (hilarious) parody news site. So, great story, but a parody, not truth.***



***Big thanks to Dennis from ColorsinLA for sending in the tip!***