Graffiti by Bristol street artist John Doh
Try to uncover the identity of Banksy, the subversive street artist best known in the world but who carefully hides his identity, is an endless exercise. Last March, a very serious study of Queen Mary University thought he had won the jackpot thanks to geographic profiling. By matching the movements supposedly Banksy its traces around the world, suspicion focused on a certain Robin Cunningham. Who has always denied being Banksy.
Since Thursday, the fabric ignites again to a new theory. Less scientific, but that argument and raises some issues worthy of consideration. Banksy and 3D, the leader of Massive Attack would do that. According to the Daily Mail, citing the work of a Scottish blogger, Craig Williams, Banksy might be even plural. This would be a group of artists moving in the wake of the caravan when Massive Attack tour.
To see more clearly, we asked his opinion at a specialist the question, the journalist Melissa Chemam, author of “Out of the Comfort Zone – Massive Attack to Banksy, the story of a group of artists, their city, Bristol, and their revolutions” (editions Anne Carrière).
In this book to be published on 6 October, this bilingual journalist for Radio France and the BBC explores the roots of the art scene in Bristol. Supported numerous meetings with the main actors of this artistic ferment, starting with 3D, it tells how the story of the city but also the anarchist spirit of Clash and the particular look of the local Caribbean community, inspired the approach Massive Attack and Banksy. And how their insubordination crossbred humor has become the flagship two-headed not only a city but an entire generation. Do not they do that?
Decryption point by point the rumor
Who speaks and what is the context?
In his article, like already by 27,000 people, the Daily Mail speaks of Craig Williams, to the origin of this rumor, as a journalist “investigator” 31 years old. We already see the magnifying glass Sherlock Holmes hand. This is actually an amateur blogger Scottish music. The Daily Mail resumes his blog post but is careful not to go check the news, boosting the contrary its tantalizing theory with effective graphics and photos.
According to Melissa Chemam, this blog post has been published several times . “He has published late May when Massive Attack announced that it was organizing its own festival in a unique place in Bristol on Saturday (3 September). And he opportunely reposted on his blog Wednesday. Press scandals in British jumped on it this time because there are a beautiful backdrop to this festival Massive Attack (details in box at the bottom of page). And we do not forget that there is a Dismaland year exactly was taking place, the amusement park and exhibition of Banksy “.
Movements Banksy and Massive Attack coincide
This is the main argument of the blogger and we must recognize that hits hard. We did not check but according to Craig Williams, Banksy’s works are regularly appeared on the walls of cities visited simultaneously by Massive Attack. So while the group led by Robert Del Naja (3D) was on tour in Melbourne in March 2003, traces Banksy were discovered on the walls of the city the following month. Same in San Francisco: Massive Attack was on stage on 25 April and 27 April 2010 and the works of street artist were identified in the city on May 1, less than a week later. Rebelote Toronto: Massive Attack there was a concert on 7 May 2010 and the works of Banksy flourished there May 14
Melissa Chemam admits that the blogger has a point.. “This argument is not completely besotted. He noticed significant things. Especially Massive Attack is on tour in California in 2006 when Banksy made his first exhibition outside of Europe, in Los Angeles. An exhibition that will change totally their status because stars like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie then begin to buy his works for big bucks. We also remember the exhibition for the pink and golden elephant that walked there as a work art. “
Is Banksy several people?
the blogger Craig Cunningham issues another equally credible hypothesis: “if Banksy was not the only person we imagine if Banksy was a group of people who would stencils both at home and abroad ?” According to him, such a quantity of works produced in a decade around the world, poses in any case question. He thinks it could be a group of street-artists following tour Massive Attack.
Melissa Chemam does not look for this hypothesis, although it recognizes that this is what most think British journalists. “What is certain is that when Banksy made a show such as Los Angeles, New York or as the Dismaland last year, he does not do it alone. But having interviewed all the graffiti artists Bristol, they said “this is a genius, but that does not mean that no one held her spray paint to mark.” it’s like JR. Who can make a collage on top Rio a building without help? Nobody. But Banksy can ask others to make stencils for him abroad, to give orders, it’s not like him. the multinational Banksy is not its ethos. Banksy is an artist, not a collective, and its absolute feat that’s probably to be as famous in having managed to remain completely anonymous. “
Banksy and 3D have a lot in common
Here, however, everyone is to agreement. And Melissa Chemam first. “Already, Banksy and 3D have the same political vision of the world. That is, they are very committed, they have visited the Middle East, Banksy in Gaza and Lebanon for 3D. They both have a side some anarchist but also very humanistic and yet full of humor. They do not impose their ideas, there is in them something of the order of awakening, of questioning. in one of my first interviews with 3D about the graffiti he said, “we are called vandals but we have the right to have other things on our walls as prohibition signs and advertisements, I just try rebalance. “But the whole idea of street art by Banksy is that one.
Then they both have a taste for the stencil, which has become the trademark of Banksy. Now that it’s 3D launched the stencil in Bristol in the second half of the 80s, a technique that Banksy has taken 10 years later. And they have very similar musical tastes.
Why Banksy is not 3D by Melissa Chemam
” Already, there is a generational gap. You should know that 3D began as a graffiti artist in 1983 and was really a pioneer. It was one of the first country artists to make works called murals, which was really hard at the time because it took hours to make, that 3D is colourblind and it was totally not allowed. It also launched the stencil in 86-87 years. And it is clear that Banksy was inspired by him. But Banksy is really appeared in 1998, ten years later. “
” The only thing we could say it’s the same person, but now we’re really in science fiction, is to imagine that 3D after the success of “Mezzanine” invents a new life of graffiti artist known as Banksy. I do not believe it. Because 3D is a very very busy. Massive Attack released albums every four-five years, he created a lot of music that does not publish, is a workaholic, he travels a lot, so it would be really Superman. It is not only music for the group, but all the visual in United Visual Artists, he made music for films (including the documentary “Gomorra” which he ended up believing that the music was too, leaving his music that generic), he is an artist, he is a painter, he has a lot of projects, it is a crazy technology so it is not possible, there is no time. “
Conclusion: it looks like they're two friends who share the same spirit
“Banksy and 3D are part of a group of friends artists who exhibited together (many of them were Dismaland), which look and feed each other but who each want to have their uniqueness, “Melissa Chemam analysis.” they’re pretty proud of what they do, they are not the type to imitate anyone. This is close to their heart to be different, to be pioneers, to carry each their own way. For example, I do not think Banksy is happy being mistaken for 3D, which means that his work would only be the hobby of one of the busiest artists in Britain.
3D should not take very well to be told he is Banksy: so he worked like crazy and it’s annoying to be mistaken for someone else. Anyway, if he is Banksy, he is really a double genius. Because what he has done in years of painting really has nothing to do with what Banksy did. However, the rumour will probably resurface. It is true that Banksy looks like he very much enjoys the tours of Massive Attack! (Laughs). “
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A mini-festival and a new EP Massive Attack Saturday
Massive Attack therefore organizes this Saturday at Bristol from noon to midnight, a mini-festival called Massive Attack at the Downs, the name of the place which is in a hilltop the program include:. Primal Scream, Skepta, Savages, Smith and Mighty, DJ Krust. on this occasion, the group plans to distribute a new EP limited edition, “Dear Friend” with James Massiah. the normal versions, vinyl and digital, will be available in late September .
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