3 ms·

Banksy is a commercial enterprise, though. There is a financial benefit to putting their work in places where the public is forced to see it. By raising their p

Banksy is a commercial enterprise, though. There is a financial benefit to putting their work in places where the public is forced to see it. By raising their public profile, they're also raising the prices they can charge for other work. It is, in a very real sense, advertising. I'm a fan, but there's still a point to be made here. Banksy works on public sites do function in part as ads.

kdmccormick 5y ago
I think it's critically different from advertising because the art is also the product itself. You're meant to enjoy the art for what it is. An ad on the other hand, is meant to encourage you to buy a separate product; this can be effective even if you absolutely hate the ad. A more apt comparison would be a company giving out free samples. If you get a free sample of a delicious new cheese brand, you might talk about it to others and raise their public profile. But that only works if the cheese is delicious. On the other hand, an ad might just rudely scream "KRAFT MAC AND CHEESE" at you for twenty seconds in hopes of subconsciously leading you to buy their product when you see it in the store later that week.
- blackboxlogic 5y ago
  I'm not sure the author's intent is a good indicator of if the "art" will be a positive force in the community. Here's a local anecdote to the contrary. https://www.pressherald.com/2013/02/24/court-order-walk-while-you-whistle-in-portland_2013-02-24/ https://www.pressherald.com/2013/02/24/court-order-walk-whil...
  - aspenmayer 5y ago
    Trolling as protected speech is an interesting perspective. I’ve often felt that trolling is part behavioral issue and another part free expression. I wonder how these lines blur as they cross over into the digital realm. > “Though I find him as annoying as many others do, I find him equally and strangely compelling,” Belisle wrote. “He is, in his own way, a placeholder. He prompts me to remember that not all hear the same music I hear; or respond the same way.” > In a phone interview, Belisle, who specializes in family and preventive medicine, said The Whistler is breaking down barriers that people put around themselves, forcing people to notice what is right in front of them. He is, she said, a reminder that everyone marches to the beat of their own drummer. > “The best thing you can do is have compassion for other people whose songs are not the same as yours,” she said.
_gohp 5y ago
I agree, she/he/them are champagne socialists. And his quote in the top post is hypocritical, at least the advertisers pay for displaying the ads, banksy appears to use the anarchist non payment approach. Maybe all his revenue goes to charity but I sense an artist complaining about capitalism while laughing to the bank.

kdmccormick 5y ago

I think it's critically different from advertising because the art is also the product itself. You're meant to enjoy the art for what it is. An ad on the other hand, is meant to encourage you to buy a separate product; this can be effective even if you absolutely hate the ad. A more apt comparison would be a company giving out free samples. If you get a free sample of a delicious new cheese brand, you might talk about it to others and raise their public profile. But that only works if the cheese is delicious. On the other hand, an ad might just rudely scream "KRAFT MAC AND CHEESE" at you for twenty seconds in hopes of subconsciously leading you to buy their product when you see it in the store later that week.

blackboxlogic 5y ago
I'm not sure the author's intent is a good indicator of if the "art" will be a positive force in the community. Here's a local anecdote to the contrary. https://www.pressherald.com/2013/02/24/court-order-walk-while-you-whistle-in-portland_2013-02-24/ https://www.pressherald.com/2013/02/24/court-order-walk-whil...
- aspenmayer 5y ago
  Trolling as protected speech is an interesting perspective. I’ve often felt that trolling is part behavioral issue and another part free expression. I wonder how these lines blur as they cross over into the digital realm. > “Though I find him as annoying as many others do, I find him equally and strangely compelling,” Belisle wrote. “He is, in his own way, a placeholder. He prompts me to remember that not all hear the same music I hear; or respond the same way.” > In a phone interview, Belisle, who specializes in family and preventive medicine, said The Whistler is breaking down barriers that people put around themselves, forcing people to notice what is right in front of them. He is, she said, a reminder that everyone marches to the beat of their own drummer. > “The best thing you can do is have compassion for other people whose songs are not the same as yours,” she said.

_gohp 5y ago

I agree, she/he/them are champagne socialists. And his quote in the top post is hypocritical, at least the advertisers pay for displaying the ads, banksy appears to use the anarchist non payment approach. Maybe all his revenue goes to charity but I sense an artist complaining about capitalism while laughing to the bank.