Mar 8, 2017 1:09:10 GMT 1 @elviswarhol said:

Mar 7, 2017 23:03:32 GMT 1 @letisss said:

Still think more of a balance could be struck. Something a long the lines a Josh Keyes tiny showcase approach that gives everyday people the chance to own a top artist's work at an affordable price. Just because Banksy's Banksy he seems to get an easy ride on here for pricing himself out of reach of all but the 1%ers that so much of his work is against.

 I thought the whole point of going all the way to Palestine, Bethlehem was to visit the hotel, stay a few nights and be part of it and come away with the experience and knowledge that it's not about shopping.

Just think, tourism might bring peace to the Middle East.

Usually it does the opposite.

Mar 8, 2017 1:38:27 GMT 1 Rouen Cathedral said:

Mar 8, 2017 0:27:36 GMT 1 Dr Plip said:

Imagine if he didn't do the innovative "shows/events". Imagine if he just rested on his laurels and put out a couple of high-priced prints each year or every time valentine's day came around.

Imagine how dull that would be.

Too limited. Too expensive. Too similar. Not an image I like. Mine arrived creased and I'm crying, etc, etc. It'd be tedious.

His projects might not be for everyone, but he's bloody having a go.

This is probably true.

But why secret high dollar prints to the elite and these shows/events?

Why not hit the streets?

The NY residencey was brilliant for that.

This and dismaland is not close. Give me 1 million dollar on sales from prints to the rich and I'll put something on too!

I would imagine that it's far easier, with fewer tears, to sell expensive prints to a small group of affluent art anoraks, than it is to sell more affordable prints to a wider group of people. He's done that already. It appears (at times) to have been a bit of an arse ache. I think it's just easier, instead of some secret attempt to keep his street image intact. People talk. And no art fan will want to buy an expensive print/original, then never show it off. So, You're never going to keep your "secret" prints secret. I'm sure he knows that.

Think of him as milking rich cows.

Think of Banky's paint-covered hands slowly going up and down on a rich cow's teats.

Think about that.

Are you thinking about it?

Anyway, plus, he can release things any way he sees fit. Not everything is for everyone.

Why not hit the streets? I would say he's done that. Plenty of times.

I think it's wonderful that you would put on an art event, with the proceeds from selling prints to the wealthy. I fully encourage you to do that. I cannot encourage you enough. I wish more artists were like you and Banksy. Many artists make a comfortable living from art, yet they don't do these kind of things.

You're allowed to make a living from art. You're allowed to own a Mercedes. You're allowed to give all of your earnings to the poor, while you wear rags and live like a saint in a cave. If you can do any combination of that, while doing more good than harm, then that's brilliant.

Banksy doesn't need to be a saint. He doesn't need to be a spray-can wielding street urchin. If he is, I don't really care. I just care that he does more good than harm. That he creates more good than harm.

Mar 8, 2017 13:04:42 GMT 1 Rouen Cathedral said:

Mar 8, 2017 10:28:34 GMT 1 frankiefrench said:

Amen to that. He has certainly used his position to help tons of causes, youth centres, schools, the boxing club etc.
As for 'hitting the streets', all of these huge budget projects ARE hitting the streets, getting the message across and drawing attention to struggles and the insane inequality in the world, isn't that the plan?
He could go apeshit and paint everywhere and get himself busted and screw it all up but what would be the point when you can really make a difference and do things with a ton more swag than slapping up a stencil.
He's possibly not moved on entirely form street based interventions and witty commenting, placement etc, lets not write it off just yet because there's only so much people can do while heavily involved in the bigger picture with greater goals.
He has given away a huge amount of art and money, good man.

I disagree that this is hitting the streets.

This is no more sucessful than his works in Gaza. To me it's less.

"Paint everywhere and get him self busted and screw it all up" - isn't that what made banksy banksy?

Im not a fan of these large scale works. Too big, too rich, too impersonal.

But this is making people want to go there. They will see how the Palestinians have to live, they'll put some money into the local economy, take some pictures (not OFF the walls), then come back and share their thoughts on their time there.

With his previous works in Gaza, people were more likely to just view from afar.

Don't worry though, I'm sure he'll continue to create more personal and modest street works in the future.