Got a blog tip? Contact us
« Pricing the Priceless: the perils of cost-benefit analysis | Main | May the Forcefed be with you »
Museum prankster strikes again
Remember the guy who surreptitiously hung up his work at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and Brooklyn Museum, among others? Well, word has it the artist known as Banksy is back in London. He placed a piece of his, a bogus historical relic, somewhere in the British Museum, where it has remained undetected "for quite some time." Tired of waiting for a proper unmasking, Banksy is now offering a reward to the person who can find his piece among the historical artefacts in the museum collection. Here's a hint for treasure-seekers: it's the only cave drawing you'll find that features a shopping cart.
(Via Eyeteeth)
Posted by Carrie McLaren on 05/18/2005 | Permalink
Comments
Banksy is a bit of a legend here in England. I used to live in Bristol where the great man is from. There are pieces of his artwork all over the city, most of them highly treasured.
I highly recommended checking out a small book of his called Existencillism. A much better introduction to his work than the website. A particular favourite of mine is the spanish zoo.
He has also done some significant artwork for the music industry. Check out the fantastic Badmeaningood compilations.
And with regard to the British museum, did you know that the collection is so vast that at any one time there is never more than 3% on display? And the British museum is a BIG place.
Posted by: john | May 18, 2005 12:27:39 PM
Thanks for the tip. Here's a link to Existencillism for anyone interested. At $99, though, some of us will have to save up for it!
Posted by: carrie | May 18, 2005 12:40:57 PM
Surreptitiously.
Posted by: editor | May 18, 2005 1:14:52 PM
Gah! $99? That's a joke. Banksy's books used to be $10 or so at the Anarchist Bookstore here in SF. Looking quickly, it's £4.99 on amazon.co.uk. I ordered them from some art book distributor in England and had them shipped over to SF. As good as the books are, don't spend $100, you'll just be mad at yourself.
Posted by: Steve Lambert | May 20, 2005 3:38:36 AM
Calling Banksy a "prankster" is sort of insulting. To him. And you, for citing, yet not having familiarity with his work.
(Not an insult, I love the site and read it every day)
Posted by: Jordan | May 20, 2005 1:37:32 PM
I love Banksy and have followed him for years. There aint no shame in the 'prankster' name. Speaking of which, if you haven't read the Re/Search book on artist's pranks from several years ago, it's great.
Posted by: Steve Lambert | May 20, 2005 2:17:41 PM
