I recently attended an exhibition of street art at the Canterbury Museum in Christchurch. Street art, like any real 'art form' can take us to new levels of perception and awareness. With most artists today still struggling to overcome the paradox of post-modernism, Banksy is one of the few capable of penetrating the veil and reaching a true authenticity in his subversion. I say authenticity because in an age of upside-down values and contradiction what does subversion mean anyway? A civilisation supposedly based on Christian values that tolerates war and poverty. A society that celebrates the individual yet expresses itself largely through conformity. A century of oppression and exploitation narrated as progress and enterprise.
Banksy does anti-war very well - in this example he captures the nonchalance and scripted acquiescence of 21st century patriotism. Just as sitcom canned laughter removed the spontaneity of humour, that most genuine and uninhibited of human reactions, 21st century ideology has dulled our natural repugnance towards violence and meaningless destruction. Banksy can here directly address our blind patriotism and support of the armed forces, our awe of military engineering, the professionalism of our armed forces, and the taboo of criticising personnel together with foreign policy. There is an obvious homage to the theatrical nature of Bush Jr's 'Mission Accomplished' speech following the 'conclusion' of major military operations in the Second Gulf War.
Everyone has their role to play, big or small, in the theatre of justice and freedom. The viewer is no longer a passive observer but an involved supporter for the duration of the show.
Banksy moves toward a genuine subversion, more fitting to our age and beyond the direct action and courageous naivety of the Hippie-era anti-war movement.
Everything is for sale in a capitalist consumerist system - even Anarchy. The rebellion of Punk Rock reduced to waiting in a line, presumably at some over priced music festival, a submission to the market forces of scarcity and profit, philosophy reduced to a superficial t-shirt slogan. A fantastic illustration of the embracing, manipulative, brilliance of modern capitalism. Great side-story: Walmart was selling knock-off prints of this one http://www.salon.com/2013/12/03/wal_mart_selling_destroy_capitalism_banksy_prints/
I'm sure many would be tempted to look at this and only appreciate the historical transposition Banksy has executed. It's just David as the latest Al Qaeda recruit. Haha hehe.
Michaelangelo's 'David' was and still is the symbol of Florence. It is one of the most recognised objects in all visual art. At the time of its creation, Florence, in the age of independent city states preceding a unified Italy, was a Republic with a constitution limiting the power of the nobility. Florence was a centre for the new ideals and values of a new age of progress and enlightenment and stood alone, proud and egalitarian in accordance with the new virtues of the humanist boom.The Biblical narrative of David and Goliath is a story of the underdog standing up for truth and justice, righteously defending the one true God and his people, destroying the forces of oppression, violence and brutality in the world.
But it starts to get interesting when we place this symbol of democracy and truth inside the costume of the suicide-bomber. We become painfully aware of the subjectivity of right and reason. Does the terrorist stand for truth, justice and freedom? Is he a small hero fighting against the odds for a noble cause? Are we Goliath?
This is how art can take us to other places and increase our awareness of ourselves and the truth.
