Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Accountability, motherfuckers.

So it was an October Surprise A Day, like an Advent calendar but for crime.

And we’re all out of bubblegum.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

“But what about the lurkers?”

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

People are complicated. Love is not.

You can’t attract Republican voters. You can only out organize them.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

You can’t love your country only when you win.

I was promised a recession.

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

Do not shrug your shoulders and accept the normalization of untruths.

You are here: Home / Popular Culture / KULCHA! / Friday Morning Open Thread: Meta, Dude…

Friday Morning Open Thread: Meta, Dude…

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From the Guardian:

Banksy has struck again – but a council in the east of England has struck back, removing his artwork that it said contained “offensive and racist remarks”.

The latest mural by the controversial graffiti artist, whose real identity is not widely publicised, was painted overnight in Clacton-on-Sea, in Essex, a week ahead of a byelection in the town triggered by the decision of local Conservative MP, Douglas Carswell, to defect to the UK Independence Party (Ukip).

The work showed five grey pigeons holding up signs including one stating “go back to Africa” towards a more colourful migratory swallow. One of the pigeons’ signs read “migrants not welcome”, while another held a placard that read “keep off our worms”. Ukip argues that Britain’s immigration policies are too lax.

Nigel Brown, communications manager for Tendring district council, said it had received a complaint on Tuesday that “offensive and racist remarks” had been painted on a seafront building…

It has been suggested that the council did not realise that Banksy was responsible for the work before scrubbing it off the wall. Other pieces he has painted have been valued in six figures…

I wonder if they spotted the Monty Python call-back, though?
***********
Apart from art criticism, what’s on the agenda as we wrap up one miserable week?

Reader Interactions

61Comments

  2. 2.

    Mustang Bobby

    The work showed five grey pigeons holding up signs including one stating “go back to Africa” towards a more colourful migratory swallow. One of the pigeons’ signs read “migrants not welcome”, while another held a placard that read “keep off our worms”.

    I wonder if the pigeons were plotting a military coo…

    Thanks, I’ll be here all week.

  3. 3.

    low-tech cyclist

    I wonder if they spotted the Monty Python call-back, though?

    First thing I thought of when I saw the words “migratory swallow.”

    Next spring, it’ll be 40 years since Holy Grail was released. How time flies!

  6. 6.

    OzarkHillbilly

    @raven: The front passed thru here last night. Predicted high today of 62, low tonight of 38, tomorrows high- 58. Autumn has arrived.

  14. 14.

    Botsplainer

    @Baud:

    An article waxing on about the brilliance of the message of Banksy elicits the same response I give to a Raw Story article about how Russell Brand mumblewhined a “slam” on the NSA/banksters/evilsupervillains. In each instance, I want to kill an adorable puppy in front of a class of second graders, because that’s about the mentality of the fawning admirers.

  18. 18.

    greennotGreen

    A friend of mine used to be a sculptor (and perhaps will be again when he doesn’t have two small children.) At one of his openings I attended, I complained that I didnt like the explanatory cards that accompanied the art. (“This piece reflects the existential hopelessness of a Wall Street broker, surrounded by the bustle of faceless millions,” or other BS.) My friend commented that many people won’t buy art unless they’re told “what it means.”

    Maybe Banksy’s going to have to attach explanatory cards.

  19. 19.

    debbie

    @BillinGlendaleCA:

    Even NPR’s bitten the bullet. Talking to a reporter about the CDC’s efforts to trace all contacts with Thomas Eric Duncan, Steve Inskeep wondered if the CDC was “terrified” they might miss something. When did the word “concern” go out of fashion?

  20. 20.

    Baud

    @debbie:

    So they’re doing their job because they’re terrified, as opposed to doing their job because it’s their job.

  21. 21.

    Mustang Bobby

    Via me:

    As of Wednesday, the CDC had confirmed 500 people in 42 states have respiratory illnesses caused by enterovirus D68.

    Where’s the BREAKING NEWS banners and special freak-out coverage on that? Could it be that Ebola came from Africa and everyone knows that Africa is a scary place with people who scare people, as opposed to a plain old American virus that just kills kids as they breathe?

  22. 22.

    skerry

    @raven: Well, as long as Yom Kippur doesn’t cancel the game, all is good.
    (Heard there was some controversy about the schedule. Don’t really care, personally)

  23. 23.

    skerry

    @Mustang Bobby: John Stewart had an interesting take on this last night. He wondered why we are only afraid of things we “import” and no domestic issues that kill many more Americans – heart disease, Medicaid expansion, climate change. Things we can do something about that would directly save lives.

  24. 24.

    Botsplainer

    Figured out a great new hobby – trolling Texas Christian conservatives using my real name. Sadly, the staff at the Dallas Morning News apparently objects to my references to “panty-wetting”, “real-men, he-men” hysterically squealing like a 6 year old girl whose favorite doll got gnawed on by the dog”, “racist and xenophobic”, “gibbering prayers”, “tax cuts will fix it” and (my favorite) “shooting wildly into the sky”.

  26. 26.

    skerry

    Cat Watch 2014: What’s it like being a cat?

    Cats are at a crucial point in their evolutionary journey as they transform from solitary hunters to domestic pets, a study by the BBC and the Royal Veterinary College has revealed.

    Our felines are adapting quickly to life in densely-packed cities, changing their behaviour to fit in with our 21st Century lives. They are time-sharing territory with other cats, killing less prey and learning to communicate with each other and people, research for BBC Two’s Cat Watch 2014 found.

    In the first of a three-part series on the lives of modern domestic cats, we look at how our pets experience the world.

  27. 27.

    Barbara

    @greennotGreen: I dunno, I think on at least some level, the district council understood the pigeons were them, and it was actually clever of them to cry “Racism!” as a cover story for removing the painting. Even though it is hard for me to admit such ninnies could actually understand satire and parody, and actually have a clever streak. In any case, Banksy accomplished his objective, once again.

    [email protected]Botsplainer: You must not follow the art world much. Enthusiastic “fawning” is s.o.p. for any artist who’s work is currently in. Banksy’s not getting any more adoration than a lot of others, he just happened to break into the mainstream so you’ve had an opportunity to witness the hype.

  31. 31.

    Joey Maloney

    The latest mural by the controversial graffiti artist, whose real identity is not widely publicised,

    This is a change, is it not, from previously when Banksy’s real identity was not known, period? So who knows who he is now?

  32. 32.

    Schlemazel

    @Joey Maloney:
    I seem to remember some hubbub around his identity some time ago that probably identified some guy as banksy. His actual identity means as much to me as who actually wrote Shakespeare’s plays. Its interesting but not going to affect my appreciation of the works in anyway so I don’t pay any attention.

  34. 34.

    EriktheRed

    I have a shirt from Tee Fury with King Arthur from The Holy Grail about to throw the Holy Hand Grenade™ done in the Banksy style. I didn’t even know who Banksy was at the time; it took my daughter to explain it to me when I showed it to her.

  36. 36.

    Botsplainer

    @Mustang Bobby:

    Boo – none of my Dallas Morning News replies are posting. They’re all going straight into moderation.

    I was recommending another round of tax cuts and even more deregulation, but had also pointed out that Ebola causes spontaneous abortions, but the commentary never got posted.

  37. 37.

    Fred

    @low-tech cyclist: “Next spring, it’ll be 40 years since Holy Grail was released. How time flies!”

    Time flies but the question is, can it fly while carrying a one pound coconut?

  38. 38.

    Fred

    The mural shown at the link was obviously done using stencils and spray cans. Unless Banksy pitches his stencils after one use it should be pretty easy to replicate the painting.
    I don’t know anything about the artist or his motives but I would say it looks like politically ironic satire. It’s hard to make fun of bigots if you can’t ape the sentiments that are offensive.

  39. 39.

    Tenar Darell

    @Barbara: I love it that the art hype breaks through for him. (Too bad it’s not scalable to other artists, you know?)

    Banksy’s got to be laughing his a** off at the council for playing along. That last little bit about them removing the graffiti for “offensive and racist remarks” just adds to the overall sting in the performance. He wants this kind of participatory reaction.

    Now the council should join in the laughter and do something like have a John Cleese impersonator slouching by and saying “And now for something completely different…” while someone is repainting it with add-ons or reversing it or standing on a welcome mat….

  40. 40.

    bluefoot

    @Mustang Bobby: Considering that statistically one is MUCH more likely to die from the flu than Ebola here in the USA, I wonder how many of those freaking out over Ebola have actually gotten a flu shot yet.

  41. 41.

    MomSense

    Violet, If you are reading this thread I just wanted to say that I am thinking of you and hope you are getting some support. Please take care of yourself. We all care about you.

  46. 46.

    Bill D.

    No skin off Banksy’s back. I mean, it’s only a flesh wound. Besides, he’s getting better!

  50. 50.

    Amir Khalid

    @Fred:
    Why would time flies want a one-pound coconut? As everyone knows, time flies like an arrow. (Fruit flies, as we know, …)

  51. 51.

    Citizen Alan

    I’ve never understood how a Banksy work can be worth X million dollars when it’s painted on the side of a public building. How does one buy such a work at any price?

  52. 52.

    MomSense

    @schrodinger’s cat:

    Thank you!! The good news is one of the other people caring for the ferals was able to trap the last kitten so at least they are all set. I think the momma is pregnant again but she is starting to really trust us and comes up to us and interacts so I think we will be able to bring her to the shelter soon. She is a stunningly beautiful little thing. I might see if I can adopt her once she is checked out and healthy.

  54. 54.

    JDM

    So even in the UK racism now means pointing out racism. A few centuries from now the history of race relations is going to be really confusing to study. It’d be like halfway through the Civil War the old newspapers started referring to Abe Lincoln as “shorty”.

  55. 55.

    Shana

    @skerry: An article in the Washington Post Wednesday quoted a rabbi saying, in essence, if you have to ask you probably already know the right answer re: watching/attending a game vs. going to shul.

  57. 57.

    Amir Khalid

    @greennotGreen:
    I agree with you. Art collectors who demand the artist tell them what a work of art communicates are too mentally lazy to work it out for themselves, and shouldn’t be collecting art. But then they’re the ones with the money, so what can you do? Sigh.

  59. 59.

    Mnemosyne

    @greennotGreen:

    Explanatory cards (like at museums) make sense for historical pieces, because people may not always understand the context of the time. But they do seem a little silly for contemporary pieces. (“This artwork is about the 9/11 attacks, which were a series of terrorist attacks carried out by a group calling itself al-Qaeda … “)

  60. 60.

    Older

    Our city prides itself on its art, and the “Art in the Alleys” program has seen the placement of some very fine pieces in unexpected locations. The alleys of course are also popular with the local graffiti artists, who for some reason don’t want to be confined to the “Graffiti Wall”.

    For the most part, we are allowed to enjoy their efforts, and not much effort is made by the city to get rid of them.

    But a few years ago, all of the alleys were “sanitized” in the same way as depicted here (ie, the ugly way) by a police squad, because they were “cleaning up” the city in anticipation of the annual art festival, celebrating, among other things, the ad hoc artistic efforts of members of the public.

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