Banksy Does New York is an art documentary directed by Chris Moukarbel. The movie covers the month that Banksy took New York and social media on a artistic trip and spun the artistic community into a frenzy.For the entire month of October in 2013, Banksy created one piece of public art each day. He posted his work on his social media page with a caption or audio snippet that gave clues as to where the art work could be found or spotted throughout the city. This drew in artists, fellow graffiti and public artists,and the public as a whole. It had everyone intrigued and hooked on a sort of scavenger hunt each day. The public had mixed reactions to what Banksy was doing, his motives and what he represented, as well as its effect on the city of New York.
Banksy is a graffiti artist or otherwise known as a public street artist from England. Where some think of him as a political activist, others see him as a vandal or a menace to society. Banksy’s main priority or point in his works is one of satire and taking situations or feelings that seem large, serious, or even difficult to comprehend and wraps them all up into simple visual expressions. Banksy is well known for his style as well. He uses stencils and spray paint in a technique referred to as “cheating.” Banksy is also known for his mystery surrounding his artwork, probably because his work just pops up without anyone seeing him in the act. No one knows the true identity of Banksy, which was possibly what caused such hype and controversy over his takeover/ scavenger hunt frenzy during his month in New York.
The movie does a great job of showing just how much the public influenced the work Banksy was doing around the city. The public were not just an influence for the street art, but they were directly a part of the month long art exhibit Banksy was putting on in the city. The movie follows the work that Banksy revealed each day on a timeline-like sequence. At the same time, the movie documents some followers or art work hunters that took part in the month long scavenger hunt. Everyone wanted their chance to gaze upon Banksy’s art before it was either defaced, stolen, or taken down within hours or even minutes of being discovered.
I personally liked and enjoyed the way they followed each piece of art in chronological order. Following the event day to day felt like you are somehow drawn in and taking part in it even though it was years ago. It gives the audience a way of following multiple sides of the story at the same time seamlessly. Art collectors, curators, photographers, artists, and admirers are all left to tell their experience that month and how they reacted to each piece as it was found. You also get to develop your own feelings and opinions of each work of art and what Banksy is doing in New York as the movie goes on.
I believe the movie also helps the audience gather a decent comprehension of each work of art in the sense that they describe what each work represents, or at least give some background information so the viewer can form an opinion. Some pieces such as the floating, patched up balloon that he painted in Brooklyn have a simpler representation. It represents the hardship of moving on from a broken heart but being able to continue on. This piece may be easier for the public to pick up on. Other pieces had a much deeper meaning and significance that the audience may not recognize. The movie does a great job of patching up that gap. For example, the movie incorporates footage of actual events that had transpired, such as the shooting of journalists and civilians overseas, to help convey the significance of the Banksy painting in Lower East Side of “crazed” horses and scared people painted on a car. Banksy used the leaked video as inspiration for his art to show what had transpired and his stance on the war.
On the other hand, I did not like the constant flashing of tweets and message bubbles across the screen throughout the movie. Although the tweets did pertain to the subject matter and were relevant to what was going on at the time, I felt that they made the movie feel almost childish at times. I caught myself feeling as though I was watching a pre-teen Netflix original at multiple points throughout the movie.
It is also important that the movie extensively covered the part of the story about those people who defaced or stole Banksy’s work. Those who did not appreciate what Banksy was trying to accomplish were quick to take it down or paint over the works. The movie sheds light on these parts and also captures the viewpoint of those people who did appreciate what was being done and worked to preserve the art throughout the city. You cannot help but appreciate all the graffiti and street art you see while watching this movie. How the art work is shot and displayed really promotes the beauty of it all even at its most rudimentary levels.
My biggest critique after watching this movie is that there would have been less focus on the financial gain that has stemmed from Banksy’s art work. Although it is relevant, I don’t feel the monetary value of his work really pertains to Banksy and why he does what he does what he does. If he wanted recognition and financial gain, he wouldn’t remain anonymous. The movie elements the art gallery collector, Stephan Keszler and group of men who stole Banksy’s Sphinx piece to sell really take away from the beauty of his work and the social significance of everything his work stands for. The men who stole the art works shouldn’t have the satisfaction of being in a movie that aims to show why this type of art is so important. At the same time, directors may have included this portion of the movie to simultaneously convey just how shallow these collectors and sellers really are. Taking advantage of Banksy’s work should be condemned rather than glorified or encouraged.
All in all this movie does a wonderful job of showing the good in street artists and how Banksy is so influential and crucial to keeping this type of art alive. Although his artwork around NYC was brief, he, his audience, and social media helped promote and preserve his work for the rest of time.
