“All pictures painted inside, in the studio, will never be as good as those done outside.”
Cezanne
Coincidence? I think not. Okay, that’s the very last time I’ll use that saying as I’ve really overworked it in the last month. But I couldn’t help thinking it in reading the headline above. Everything about Banksy’s month long NYC residency seemed extremely well thought out. I mean how else do you put up graffiti, paintings, installations, sculptures etc. all over the five boroughs incognito, when a) everybody is on the look out for you doing so, and b) all those people have iPhones or some type of photography/recording device? Anyway, I think there is a meaningful takeaway from the fact that Banksy chose LIC over Soho, the LES, Wmsbg, Dumbo, TriBeca, or any other uber-trendy location to say goodbye.
And, I think his understated plug for not demolishing 5Pointz was extraordinarily tasteful, unpromotional, not overly dramatic, and completely in keeping with his ethos. Here’s his NYC sign-off, judge for yourself:
Banksy asserts that outside is where art should live, amongst us. And rather than street art being a fad, maybe its the last thousand years of art history that are the blip, when art came inside in service of the church and institutions.
Art’s rightful place on the cave walls of our communities, where it can act as a public service, provoke debate, voice concerns, forge identities.
The world we live in today, visually at least, is run by traffic signs, billboards, and planning committees. Is that it? Don’t we want to live in a world made of art, not just decorated by it?
And that’s it. Thanks for your patience. It’s been fun. Save 5pointz.
You want more vibrant art in the streets? Check out the NYC Marathon as it passes through LIC on Sunday. It’s as ethereal and noncommercial as it gets, and a fantastic New York City event. The front runners should be passing by on Vernon Boulevard around 10:30am Sunday, but don’t hesitate to stop by an hour or two later when the main pack starts gliding through. Let’em loudly know that Queens/LIC is the place to be in ’13. In fact, cheer twice as loud this year due to the cancellation of last year’s NYC Marathon and all they went through in Boston.Banksy: Better Out Than In – see his finale on Borden AvenueBanksy Thieves Arrested in LIC – capitalism at it’s best, or worstMusic at MoMA PS1, and Drama at LIC’s Chain Theater – two interesting arts events in LIC, noted by the New York TimesVillage Voice’s ‘Holiday Spirits’ Coming to LIC – bringing together more than 25 local distillers for the first time. Like moth to a flame.Check Out Jamestown’s LIC Project – aka Chelsea Market II