Urban Art Association

Just seen the other thread and the cards are fantastic.

As I said in the last thread, I think its a great idea, and if people agree and can put enough good comments think it would be a good idea to send a link to this thread over to POW or wherever. I'm sure if POW thought enough people on the likes of these forums would be willing to buy the cards with proceeds going to charity rather than a lottery that favours the flippers, they would consider taking this idea up.

Thanks for the feedback fellas, I only wished more would agree and post here so perhaps we could get something done about the print release. I assumed loads on this forum would have been up for the idea.

Being relatively new to Banksy Ive only been a fan since one print release and feel a bit sore about the amount that have passed hands on ebay.

Not only that we could own an affordable piece to treasure if it was implemented, the little things are what brings the joy to me, as silly as it seems Ive been chasing a Di Faced as my Banksy Holy Grail since becoming a fan.

There would never be no unsold tickets. This could be done a number of ways as the idea is really simple. One way could be there is a set closing date for entries and 500 winning tickets are pre printed . Upon closing date x amount of losing tickets (number of entries) - (minus) 500 the winning tickets are printed. The winning tickets numbered, randomly assigned to people and posted, the rest posted to other entrants.

Even the losers wont complain because they would then own a Banksy desiged item at an affordable price and knowing the money they have spent has gone to a good cause.

This may deter flippers also, if it doesnt then at least some of them may have to have forked out a lot of ££ buying tickets.

I think the cards look GREAT and are a nice, creative idea, but I cannot think of any significant reason behind using them for releases. IMO, they may just as well ask people to submit a quid or two for each entry (or a fiver or even a much higher amount) and set a limit per person, just as they did at the open day. However, the problem with these systems is that if you're not UK based, you're out of it.

Much better off doing this type of thing online imo (not that I'm biased or anything!!!) to get everyone in on it and raise even more cash for the said cause - thus still using the flippers' greed and everyone's enthusiasm for Banksy's work to benefit the needy as you suggested, but without the added limitations of cards, tickets, queues etc.

The bottom line is that the majority of people will be frustrated regardless of how prints are released and as his fame and secondary market values rise, evermore flippers will be trying to get in on the action. These have become facts of life for all people trying to buy Banksy prints and no amount of scratch cards or alternative sales systems will change it imo. Sorry to seem negative, but trying to be realistic. I doubt there's anyone in the forum who can't share your frustration in missing out on the release, however I have to say that the worst release for me was VLH, which I really loved but was never given a chance to buy, as it was a raffle system similar to yours.

These prints do very well for POW and any charities that Banksy chooses to support when he does so and I can't really see the practical benefit to anyone involved of bringing scratch cards in, beyond adding a novelty factor.

Cheers for the replies fellas.



Firstly, thanks for your input, however, they could still retain their mailing list via this system, I cant see how you came to the conclusion that they couldnt. Secondly, the charity thing was just a suggestion, they could keep all the profits involved if they wished.

I think that the affordable Banksy designed item would generate a hell of a lot more PR for POW than the negative aspect that the email lottery does.

HeavyConsumer, yeah your right about the novelty factor. Your suggestion that they could just ask ppl to put in a quid or two to same effect is forgetting that the scratchcard option would allow people to purchase an affordable Banksy designed item whereas your quid or two leaves people empty handed.

Yes, an oversight indeed, sorry! Good point. Although I'm not sure where you get the idea that the email lottery generates negative press for them. They've previously gone to the effort of developing a website that copes with the insane traffic of Banksy releases before resorting to that system which also worked great and trust me, many people who didn't score the prints still complained about the system. POW can't win and if they did it your way, people would still complain about it. That's the nature of the beast. It's still cool to see those scratch-cards and I think they're a very creative and clever idea. Perhaps you can develop it into something yourself - some type of charity fund-raiser or maybe a Silent Bill Benevolent Fund project!

We both posted at the same time then but your last two sentences from both posts appeal to me

I see Banksy as the peoples artist, the peoples voice etc just thought id throw my suggestion out there. I originally made it for my kid but then had the idea of how it could be put to use. My one thing that Im buzzing off about the whole idea was that I got a personal email from Banksy about it which meant more to me than it actaully being used.

obviously to let everyone know in advance. if you cant be at a computer with like 3 days notice then tough ? they could do 5 minute limit for uk orders then 5 limit for worldwide

but to be honest i hate the idea of a time limit as the edition numbers would be stupid.

on another note, donuts has turned out to be the greatest flipped banksy print to date. i know pow said the next release would be via lottery again, but is that really sensible? discuss.

Sorry for that noob question but what is POW ?

Aaww Bazz, play nice. It's Pictures On Walls - www.picturesonwalls.com/ - Cedric