London as Text

BANSKY versus British Cultural Studies

2009-07-19T10:28:00.000-07:00

(Banksy as Text Project)

Banksy portrays London pop culture. The artist portrays British pop culture. This pseudo-anonymous street artist has managed to gain an international reputation for his satirical graffiti and stencils often illustrating politics, culture and ethics.

Graffiti is not a new form of art by any means; it has dated back to ancient Greece and the Roman Empire. Although then, graffiti was not considered to be “art” as much as it was seen as vandalism. Defacing property that is not ones own is punishable by law. Because it is against the law, the act of graffiti becomes an underground art form. It has been introduced into modern pop culture by alternative sub-cultures that remain hidden from the general public (hip hop and break dancing for example). Most commonly graffiti is viewed as illegal, antagonistic and destructive.

The elusive Bansky has managed to turn a subversive art form that is commonly regarded as destructive and rebellious into a piece of modern pop culture that has become highly appreciated by many (including the government that normally condones such anarchistic behavior). One could argue that Banksy the artist is a revolutionary. His mastery of the stencil and spray can has made him a highly sought artist. Most recently, an example of his popularity in modern culture is his exhibit in the Bristol Museum. This exhibit illustrates that the conventional view of graffiti and subversive art is rapidly becoming accepted in modern society. Banksy has managed to become respected and protected by the authorities that would once punish and destroy his art. His cultural popularity is disrupting traditional views of graffiti and is ultimately legitimatizing this as a form of art.

BANSKY versus Bristol Museum is the first exhibition of his to be shown in a three story Edwardian museum. His ingenious exhibit fuses pop culture with politics. This combination turns provocative graffiti into dramatic visionary art. His work challenges society by graphically mocking pop culture. This exhibit is introducing pop art to an audience they may not normally go to a gallery which in itself is an amazing accomplishment for an underground artist and modern art. His art is now an event.
Discussing Bansky from a theoretical approach in modern British pop culture brings up the idea of semiotics, ideology, structuralism and signification. His art form relies most importantly on signs. “Like the trademark of Coca-Cola is a sign”, his graffiti is a sign. Banksy himself has created two significant trademarks he uses constantly. The sign of a rat and the “BANKSY” stencil he uses as a signature. In Turners text, he states, “to be a sign it must have a physical form, it must refer to something other than itself.” And this is what Banksy creatively accomplishes. Most of his “signs” refer to world politics and pop culture. For instance, one of my favorite Bansky graffiti is an image of a “terrorist” throwing a bouquet of flowers instead of the expected grenade. Ideology is significant to his street art. Ideology represents the values and ideas of a particular culture. It consists of the images, concepts and premises that provide the frameworks through which we represent, interpret, and understand and “make sense” of our social existence. Banksy effectively displays modern pop culture faults and absurdity. For example, in his Bristol exhibit he has a mechanical rabbit filing its nails in front of a mirror that has false idols such as Britney Spears and Paris Hilton taped around it.

BANSKY versus Bristol Museum

2009-07-19T09:25:00.000-07:00

BANSKY versus British Cultural Studies (the film). (project continued).

http://www.banksy.co.uk/

BANSKY versus Brisish Culutural Studies

2009-07-19T08:01:00.000-07:00

BANKSY versus British Cultural Studies
(the pictures).

45 minutes on the London torture wheel.

2009-07-19T07:46:00.001-07:00

It was obvious I did not enjoy this field trip to the tourist destination, the London Eye. I do understand however, its pop culture identity. Viewed in from a (post)modern perspective does suggest the London Eye as a break from the past. The London Eye is also referred to as the "millennium wheel." This nickname suggests London's break from a historically traditional past. It is an example of (post)modern pastiche, a mix of new and old architecture. The Eye has given London an architecture signal (like the Eiffel Tower in Paris). It is placed in the heart of London and gives people the chance to view the city from a new perspective. A seemingly (post)modern perspective.

45 minutes on the London torture wheele.

2009-07-19T07:46:00.000-07:00

The Rope.

2009-07-19T07:26:00.000-07:00

The name Tate Modern suggests the art it is displaying must be viewed in a modernist perspective. This opens an entirely new narrative of art compared to the art displayed in the National Gallery. The Tate displays modern forms of art such as minimalism, surrealism, and pop art. (By the way I believe Andy Warhol to be one of the most overrated artists ever). In our last class discussion on modernism, the idea that "nothing is there by chance" really interested me.
In one room, I came across a rope. A very large, green rope placed in the center of the room. Initially I laughed. I could not stop from laughing. Of all of the obscure, modern installments, the rope seemed ridiculous to me. It bothered me so much that the curator chose this rope to take up any space in such an amazing gallery. This installment made me question art and what art means and ultimately made me refer to the familiar "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" theory. If nothing is ever anywhere by chance then what or who put the rope in the center of this room? I did not choose for it to be there. If art represents a society and its culture then what does this rope suggest about London? I understand that moving an everyday object (such as a rope) and placing in the center of a bare white room can somehow changes the meaning of the object. But a rope is a rope, whether it is sitting in someones garage, the back of a serial killers trunk, around someones neck, or on display in the center of a gallery. The meaning of a rope does not change, just the purpose.
"Beauty is in the eye of the beholder." I can't help but still believe this is true. Society did not choose for the rope to be there. The rope does not represent modern London culture (to me anyway). The curator chose for this object to be there. It was THEIR choice.

Dressed to Kill.

2009-07-19T04:07:00.000-07:00

This was the second time visiting the Tower of London. The first time I went I joined a Beefeater tour. By the time the tour had finished it was time to leave. This time around I chose to take my own tour around the historic fortress. I chose to walk through the exhibit dedicated to display King Henry VIII's Royal armour, weapons and rare arms. This exhibit celebrates the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII becoming King of England. It was so interesting to see this exhibit because King Henry has been the subject of a few of my field trips so far, most importantly Hampton Court.

A few things intrigued me throughout the collection. A very unusual helmet was presented to Henry by Maximilian I, the Holy Roman Emperor. This helmet displayed the standards Henry held, always wanting the best. The helmet was made using the finest imported amour from Europe. I did not know whether to feel frightened or start laughing at the sight of this interesting helmet. Henry's tonlet armour from 1520 was very intimidating. This armour represented Henry's taste of the latest fashion and function. King Henry VIII interests me a lot the more I learn of this monarch.

Britain's Oldest Door..

2009-07-08T14:53:00.000-07:00

Before the field trip to Westminster Abbey, I will honestly admit I had no idea what or where it was exactly. Before this trip I had never seen such a beautiful Cathedral (I guess its not a surprise living in Georgia). I was completely overwhelmed with its exquisiteness and thousand years of history. Apart from the stain glass windows, the characteristic of the Abbey that most captivated me were the elaborate ceilings. I almost ran into a few tombs because I was too busy looking up in awe.
The poets corner, along with everyone else in the class, also caught my attention. There is a memorial for Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (Lewis Carroll). (At the National Gallery the painting of "The Ugly Duchess" inspired inspired illustrations for Alice's Adventures in Wonderland). I noticed there are more memorials than burials in this section.

A Grotesque Old Woman...

2009-07-08T13:53:00.000-07:00

I walked through the National Portrait Gallery but a painting I found in the National Gallery was still on my mind from a previous field trip. This 1513 painting by Flemish artist Quinten Massys is titled "A Grotesque Old Woman" (also known as "The Ugly Duchess"). According to the National Gallery, this is one of the most famous in its vast collection. I am attracted to this picture because of its uglyness. The plaque beside the painting in the Gallery suggested that Massys may have been making fun of the older woman that are still wishing to be young. It was easy to relate this painting to the modern time with every woman searching for new ways to hold on to their youthful beauty forever.

The plaque also suggested the historical theory that Massys was copying Leonardo da Vinci.

However, I researched the painting and found out that both suggestions are in fact, false. The grotesque painting is actually a portrait of a woman that was suffering from the rare Paget's diseas (osteitis deformans). Medical research tells us the diesease "enlarged her jaw bones, extended her upper lip and pushed up her nose. It also affected her hands, eye sockets, forehead, chin and collarbones." Because of its meticulous beauty, it is suggested that the sitter may have possibly been a true Duchess and paid a large sum to the painter for the portrait.

The most interesting fact I discovered is that this painting inspired illustrations for Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.

I <3 you Karim

2009-07-08T12:34:00.000-07:00

"I was looking for trouble, any kind of movement, action and sexual interest I could find..."

This line in the first paragraph of the book caught my attention immediately..."I was ready for anything."

As I mentioned in the forum, I was immediately attracted to Karim after this comment. He speaks of how his life was "so slow and heavy" therefore any kind of stimulation, any kind of action would help him escape from the life he considers "gloomy". I can relate to him in a sense. When I was younger I would just run away from my home whenever I felt bored or claustrophobic. Just packing a suitcase helped me detach from life (even if it was only for a few hours sometimes). I catch myself making choices and doing things just to get caught up in the emotion. Karim enjoys hysteria just as much as I do. His choices seem to mirror mine at times. Through him I realized that it is true, with every action there is a consequence. Some good, some bad.

Peter Walsh's Pocket Knife

2009-07-08T11:58:00.000-07:00

I have noticed based on almost everyone's posts, the prose used in Mrs. Dalloway was difficult to grasp at first. I really enjoyed the style Woolf chose because I kept feeling as if I were getting more insight to the characters and their emotions. Following each characters inner monologues and momentary thoughts kept me wanting to go further and further into their psyche. The flashbacks gave the story more depth by pausing from the day in June. This style blurs the lines between dream and reality and memory to moments. I notice more now than ever that during my days I too flow between dreams and memories to reality. Time seems to fade.

This book has so many underlying secrets. After the class discussion this week I realized a few themes and specific details I think I missed/ have forgotten since I read the book in the beginning of the summer. Feminism, homosexuality, post world war England, mental illness and obsession all seem to play important roles throughout.

Clarissa points out that she enjoys privacy, and the idea of privacy over love and religion. This made me appreciate Clarissa (or should I say Woolf) over any other character. Along with privacy, I noticed and underyling theme of death. Woolf almost obsesses over this idea at times. I think it is quite contradictory though because Clarissa is one who seems to appreciate life. Clarissa believed that the suicide was Septimus embracing life...

London Museum

2009-06-24T01:32:00.000-07:00

After exploring the London Museum and all of the history it displays, the most interesting subject to me was the great fire of London. It was so devastating and tragic yet it shaped how London is today. I was confused because the display accused a Bakery owner to be the cause of the fire but later said he was found innocent. I have searched the Internet and have only found that the Baker was the cause of the fire but was never found innocent.

How awful would that be to be accused of destroying one thirds of a city to be later found innocent.

BANSKY (project)

2009-06-24T01:23:00.000-07:00

I have chosen to do my project on the anonymous graffiti artist known as BANKSY. In London he is famous to the public for his wall art/art that is satirical pieces that represent politics (including American politics), culture and ethics. BANSKY to me represents English pop culture. He is recognized in books and film around the world yet he has still managed to stay almost hidden.

I realize it will be difficult to search for his graffiti all over this city and neighboring areas. He does however, have an exhibit at the Bristol Museum (free admission).

All art is quite useless.

2009-06-15T10:10:00.000-07:00

Oscar Wilde's, The Picture of Dorian Gray gave the idea that one can kill his own conscience. The painting of Dorian Gray symbolized that conscience. The painting also served as a transcendental mirror for Dorian. Dorian pushes his conscience aside to live in the pursuit of beauty and pleasure which his friend Lord Henry says is the only thing in life worth chasing. While Dorian is busy suffocating his conscience in order to fulfill his life with pleasure and narcissism, the painting begins to change and confess his sins and the price of vanity.

"The quivering, ardent sunlight showed him the lines of cruelty round the mouth as clearly as if he had been looking into a mirror after he had done some dreadful thing."
- Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray Ch. 7

Theory, Turner

2009-06-15T08:26:00.000-07:00

On "cultural studies": Graeme Turner offers the broad idea of cultural studies as "the title for an important set of theories and practices within the humanities and social sciences." Turner states that cultural studies contain common elements, such as motivations, preoccupations and theoretical categories. Popular culture is therefore the complex and significant outcome that is derived from these theories and practices. On Language: Turner introduces many ideas and explanations while also raising many questions in response. For instance, the idea he described taken from Saussure, I was especially intrigued by: Language is cultural, not natural. He explains how cultural relations are reproduced through language (For example, gender relations). From language, Turner then approaches semiotics and signification. The most important idea I took from this was MEANING and its "crucial importance" to understand language and the life of signs within a society. The "sign" can be merely a word, a music note, a sound, photograph, or even a simple gesture. The ability to recognize what it represents, or its "MEANING" will bring the individual closer to understanding cultural studies/popular culture within their society. On Individualism and Subjectivity: The most fascinating aspect I took from this sections was the idea that we internalize ideology, making ideology unconscious. Therefore the unconscious is the core of our individuality. Turner takes psychoanalyst Jaques Lacan's argument that "our unconscious is a sign system." That idea was the most fascinating to me. On Postmodernism: The term "Postmodern" has been used loosely many times in my conversations with numerous people. I never completely understood the idea and nor do I think the idea is completely definable. On page 191, Turner quotes a passage from Dick Hebdige that explained the term "postmodern" in the most clear way I have ever heard. In the end, postmodernism is too flexible of a subject to be able to specify "what it really is." In Conclusion: I feel I will be able to apply every aspect Turner offers in his text to my studies in London. The ideology, everyday life and politics most particularly. Many questions did come up throughout my reading but I am hoping they will be answered during my stay in London. I am doing my project on the graffiti artist know as BANKSY. The main areas I can apply to my project from Graeme's text are semiotics, politics and ideology. I am looking forward to applying this text to my study abroad.