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The article implicitly suggests Banksy is making money off his artwork with word choice like "won't let anyone else profit off it". The idea being to paint him
by ummwhat 7y ago
The article implicitly suggests Banksy is making money off his artwork with word choice like "won't let anyone else profit off it". The idea being to paint him as a sellout and a hypocrite.
But is it true? By everyone's admission he isn't selling shoddy kitsch like post cards and fridge magnets. All that's left to sell is the original works, and to the best of my knowledge the people who can actually sell those are usually the owner of the wall itself. He pulled that stunt with the Sotheby's auction. Did he actually get any money after that self destructed? Does anyone anywhere actually have an estimate on how profitable the Banksy operation is?
- cookie_monsta 7y agoI feel the same way. Just because he's not commercializing up to the Holy shouldn't mean that he doesn't get a say in wether his work gets cheapened like this. And as for the "we're making his work more accessible" argument from the gift card sellers - isn't that what every pirate ever has said to justify profiteering from other people's creation?
- TomMckenny 7y agoIndeed. And if we assume he does not want money to be made from his works by him _or other people either_ then it is all pretty consistent. Indeed it's a strange world if he, on principle, refuses to profit by his work but other people must be allowed to.
- loons2 7y ago> Indeed it's a strange world if he, on principle, refuses > to profit by his work but other people must be allowed to. That exact situation exists in many free software situations... doesn't it?
- mnem 7y agoThis piece has an intersting look at how he makes money: https://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/close_look/how-does-banksy-make-money-or-a-lesson-in-art-market-economics-55352 https://www.artspace.com/magazine/art_101/close_look/how-doe...