30
Sep
2008
Times up for Banksy’s Little Diver?
With the wholesale destruction and selling of Banksy’s recent pieces in New Orleans, its sad to see that now his work, and the work of other talented Graffiti Artists, is coming under threat by Australia’s Premier, John Brumby.
It seems the Politician has turned his sights to the Street Art of Melbourne’s Lanes, condemning it as being a “blight on the City”.
The Banksy Graffiti piece “Little Diver”, a favourite with Banksy Posters, is on a nearby wall and has been covered with Perspex to protect it by the Melbourne City Council.
Hopefully, despite the comments of Mr Brumby, it will remain protected and available for everyone to see.
Banksy referred to Melbourne’s Street Art as the nations most significant contribution to the arts since the Aborigines had their pencils stolen! Certainly it has become a hotspot for tourists, although it appears that Mr Brumby believes that the main draw for visitors is the “little restaurants, its the flower pots, window pots and all of those things.”
Surely both can coexist?
How can Street Art in alleyways affect the more traditional tourists?
It seems doubtful to me that many people would travel to Melbourne to view its alleyways (asides from Art Fans!).
http://www.theage.com.au/national/writings-on-wall-and-for-brumby-its-the-blight-of-day-20080930-4r8e.html?page=-1
