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?
raven
They cancelled the homecoming parade at Georgia because of the storm a comin!
Mustang Bobby
I wonder if the pigeons were plotting a military coo…
Thanks, I’ll be here all week.
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!
Baud
I don’t understand this story. But then it’s British, so I didn’t expect to.
raven
Mornin Joe thinks the CDC is lying.
OzarkHillbilly
@raven: The front passed thru here last night. Predicted high today of 62, low tonight of 38, tomorrows high- 58. Autumn has arrived.
raven
@OzarkHillbilly: Yea it’s supposed to be a high of 64 for the game Saturday!
BillinGlendaleCA
@raven: Ebola’s gona get us in our beds, ISIL is so last week.
BillinGlendaleCA
@raven: 104 at the Rose Bowl on Sat. Should be cooler by gametime since it’s at 7:30pm.
OzarkHillbilly
@raven: Perfect.
The Raven on the Hill
The Senate, balanced on a knife edge. Donate! Volunteer! Vote! (And links to do all of those things are at the link.)
OzarkHillbilly
@Mustang Bobby: You sir, make capital punishment look justifiable.
Baud
@BillinGlendaleCA:
Does anyone even remember when the children’s jihad from Central America was going to spell our doom? Good times.
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.
Mustang Bobby
@OzarkHillbilly: You’re too kind. Heh.
Mustang Bobby
@Baud: I remember when Michael Sam was the breaking news from the NFL.
Baud
@Mustang Bobby:
Hell, I remember when Obamacare was going to be a train wreck.
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.
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?
Baud
@debbie:
So they’re doing their job because they’re terrified, as opposed to doing their job because it’s their job.
Mustang Bobby
Via me:
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?
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)
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.
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”.
Mustang Bobby
@Botsplainer: Kinda like playing with a cat and a laser pointer. Endless fun for the whole family.
skerry
Cat Watch 2014: What’s it like being a cat?
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.
P.S.@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.
Cervantes
@skerry: Yet another question that answers itself.
debbie
Colbert was great on Fox and Ebola:
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/colbert-report-ebola-experts-pundits
PurpleGirl
I go to Hartford this morning for the Amazing Pet Expo at the XL Center.
Pet Expo, October 4th, 10 AM to 6 PM
Come by if you live in the area, meet me and Cassie and some cute kittens. (Yes, all kittens are cute.)
Cassie’s Kitten Kastle cam
http://new.livestream.com/cassieskittenkastle/acommunitytosavethem
Joey Maloney
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?
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.
Baud
Jobless rate below 6%.
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.
RSA
@Mustang Bobby: You are a very bad man.
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.
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?
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.
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….
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.
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.
schrodinger's cat
@Baud: You and me both. Sailed right over my head. Whatever the faults of the US, it treats its immigrants better than almost any other country in the world.
schrodinger's cat
@MomSense: Did your kitteh come back?
MomSense
@schrodinger’s cat:
Nope. My middle son is a very sad guy. Lost his cat and dog within two weeks.
Kathleen
@MomSense: So sorry to hear that.
Bill D.
No skin off Banksy’s back. I mean, it’s only a flesh wound. Besides, he’s getting better!
jurassicpork
Yesterday, we suddenly got our SNAP benefits cut off with no explanation given and at the worst time. Details are here.
MomSense
@Kathleen:
Thanks.
schrodinger's cat
@MomSense: Oh noes! poor kid. I am still hoping against hope that your kitteh will eventually return.
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, …)
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?
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.
schrodinger's cat
@MomSense: Thank you for doing Ceiling Cat’s work, and good luck with the momma kitteh.
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”.
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.
Nutella
He forgot the /satire tag.
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.
slag
@jurassicpork: Have you called anyone to find out more?
Tim O’Reilly (https://twitter.com/timoreilly) is holding SNAP up as a success for Code for America based on the resolution of problems just like yours. Maybe bring it to their attention?
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 … “)
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.
John M. Burt
@JDM: The way that attacking racism is now being referred to as “racism” is a whole lot like the way that Southern apologists suddenly developed amnesia regarding slavery in 1865, and wondered how those silly Yankees ever took it into their heads that the Confederacy was founded on preserving and expanding slavery: http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/reasons.html