Banksy's art highlights the absurdity, but also the sadness, of consumerism in pieces that mock brand worship and show the futility of stuff and status.
Moving forward maybe we need fewer protests, and more using our creativity to shine a light in the dark corners of the dictatorship of the capitalist consumer world view.
What if every protester spent their time instead creating an artistic response to the misery and pain created by life based on greed, the hunger for power, fame, and the domination of nature?
Freed from the tyranny of involuntary work to make money to buy things we don't need and often don't even want, wouldn't we all become creators?
If we are going to tear this system down, we are going to have to get creative.
Banksy's work is so good, and really hits the nail on the head. The irony is that it goes for millions of dollars! As someone who has (and somewhat still is) a part of the art world, I have always thought the commodification of creativity is ridiculous. Thanks for sharing this great art with us! -Erin
ReplyDeleteWhen I re-read your comment today it made me think of Abbie Hoffman's "Steal This Book". Thanks. I even got a post out of it.
DeleteI wonder, should anti-consumer art be free?
"Steal this artwork."
- Gregg