Less Time Than Ideas - Art Across the Americas
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Less Time Than Ideas - Art Across the Americas
NEWS: Banksy - Art at its Zenith
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Jon Bonfiglio with the news that global art phenomenon Banksy has secretly installed a new sculpture in central London.
So, Banksy has done it again, except it’s different this time, because as significant as the artwork itself is the fact that rather than his usual stencilled work, Banksy has installed a statue. And all the more remarkable because this has all taken place in central London, installed overnight in what is one of the most heavily policed and monitored areas on the planet.
The sculpture - which also unusually bears his signature - is of a suited man walking forward off a plinth, at the point just before he falls, while carrying a flag that covers his face. It was installed - and is still standing - in Waterloo Place, an area which holds much pomp and finery related to historic, imperial power, especially with other nearby statues such as that of Edward VII and the Crimean War Memorial.
Of course one of the issues with Banksy’s work is that it is so popular that it immediately generates a public access issue, and so often councils have removed work suspected to be Banksy’s, or covered it up, but in this case, Westminster City Council, which is responsible for the area, said: "We're excited to see Banksy's latest sculpture in Westminster, making a striking addition to the city's vibrant public art scene.” It will be interesting to see what the future holds for the sculpture, but it continues to mark out the artist as one of the most urgent voices of our time, in both the subject matter he engages in, but also the piratical manner in which he reclaims public space from the usual levers of power, or permission-giving.
It’s a headache for Westminster City Council, because allowing the statue’s continued existence would be an own goal which establishes a precedent, but maybe none of that is relevant, because for years now, Banksy has been his own precedent. It’s like an art heist in reverse. Politically active and progressive, and it brings a smile to your face. Awareness, skill, audacity. This is art at its zenith. Bravo,