Text Technology: Graffiti
Case Study: banksy Vs. Robbo
The history of art has been coloured by fierce and often glaringly public feuds between celebrated artists of the day. From Turner and Constable to Whistler and Ruskin, long-standing and public battles have kept generations of art lovers engrossed, outraged or simply amused. But few artistic spats have been played out in such a public manner as the current standoff between Banksy, the internationally renowned bestselling graffiti artist, and King Robbo, one of the founding fathers of London's graffiti scene.
The graffiti war was sparked before Christmas when an urban artist, thought to be Banksy, painted over a 25-year-old mural by King Robbo. Hidden under a bridge on the canal and reachable only by water, the tag had been untouched since appearing beneath Camden Street in 1985 – until the artist bearing all Banksy's hallmarks added a stencil of a workman plastering the wall with graffiti paper.
The graffiti war was sparked before Christmas when an urban artist, thought to be Banksy, painted over a 25-year-old mural by King Robbo. Hidden under a bridge on the canal and reachable only by water, the tag had been untouched since appearing beneath Camden Street in 1985 – until the artist bearing all Banksy's hallmarks added a stencil of a workman plastering the wall with graffiti paper.
Bibliography
- http://banksy.co.uk/QA/camden/camden4.html#
- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzFwO_bbnIo
- http://www.sabotagetimes.com/people/king-robbo-exclusive-interview-my-graffiti-war-with-banksy/
- http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2012/02/16/banksy-king-robbo-rivalry_n_1281910.html
Research Questions
1. How long did the war last? How many "incidents" were there?
2. How does this relate to our studies of text technologies?
3. According to the interview, what prompted the war?
4. Research a piece of art by either Banksy or Robbo from the internet. Explain why you like or dislike the piece. Provide a link to the piece you view.
- Around 26 years from the original piece
- There were around 13 incidents, including the anonymous contributors.
2. How does this relate to our studies of text technologies?
- This war highlights the ability of a text to have a conversation with both the world and other people. This takes place in a public forum where anyone can (legally or not) contribute. It is a unique characteristic of this technology that you can both express yourself and communicate an idea with others.
3. According to the interview, what prompted the war?
- “I was courteous, I even lied and said I’d heard of him but when he saw his mates saying it was a pleasure to meet me he decided to get cocky and say “I’ve never heard of you”, so I gave him a swift backhand and said “you may never have heard of me but you’ll never forget me” and that was that." - Robbo
4. Research a piece of art by either Banksy or Robbo from the internet. Explain why you like or dislike the piece. Provide a link to the piece you view.
- http://themodernartist.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/16.jpg
- This is a piece by Banksy that really shows how creative he can be. It really seems as if you are looking through a hole in the wall at a paradise that's invisible to those walking by. The social commentary in his works is really powerful, and his ability to adapt and use his environment is impressive.