When first Banksy’s pictures appeared on the streets of his native Bristol in 1980’s nobody could have predicted what a huge impact they will have on the city. Furthermore, not many people considered it art. After all, it was graffiti and graffiti equals vandalism.
Когда первые картины Бэнкси появились на улицах его родного Бристоля в восьмидесятых годах, никто не мог предугадать, какое огромное влияние они окажут на город. Более того, не многие считали это искусством.
Thirty years on and the Bristol tourist business thrives on Banksy and artists alike. Walking tours are being advertised, free or paid, and some of the pictures have already ended up in museums. Sadly, a few have been vandalized (!) or painted over or covered by … another picture! People realise that street art does not last forever and this is the reason why more and more tourists visit the city to see Banksy’s work first hand while it is still there. No wonder the attitude of the city authorities has changed completely –as Banksy’s work brings huge cultural and economic benefit to the city, they do not consider it a menace any more.
Прошло тридцать лет, и туризм в Бристоле процветает на Бэнкси и ему подобных художниках. Рекламируются пешеходные экскурсии, бесплатные и платные, а некоторые картины уже находятся в музеях. Печально, однако несколько работ либо испорчены вандалами (!), либо закрашены или зарисованы … другой картиной! Народ понимает, что стрит-арт не вечен, и по этой причине всё больше туристов приезжают в город, чтобы увидеть работы Бэнкси “из первых рук” пока они ещё там. Неудивительно, что отношение городских властей кардинально изменилось: поскольку работа Бэнкси приносит огромную пользу культуре и экономике города, значит она не представляет угрозы.
But there is a problem: too many “artists” think they can do even better and thus a large number of the streets of Bristol are covered in graffiti (sorry – street art) from top to bottom. They obviously forget that as with everything, there is a time and a place.
Но существует проблема: слишком многие “художники” считают, что они могут сотворить и получше, и поэтому многие улицы Бристоля покрыты графити (пардон, стрит-артом) сверху донизу.
Bristol seems to have a flavour of creativity in its air. One of my friends, who absolutely adores Bristol, has kindly shared some photos of a house she spotted in Bristol. Did Gaudi ever live in Bristol I wonder ? 🙂 Joke!
Создаётся впечатление, что воздух Бристоля прямо наполнен креативностью. Одна моя подруга, обожающая Бристоль, поделилась со мной фотографиями дома, который она там обнаружила. А я и не знала, что Гауди жил в Бристоле 🙂 Шутка!
Fascinating! I would’ve loved to walk those streets and be in the midst of all this graffiti explosion! BTW, I have not been getting your later posts, and I am following you. Have you been getting mine?
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Good question! No, I have not 😦 Any idea what we can do about it?
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I just checked my settings, and you are there. Perhaps you should check yours?
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I’ve just checked mine – seems to be OK. Will ask my daughter to have a look later.
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Right! If all else fails, we run to children and grandchildren – I do the same.
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Very interesting – I didn’t know that Bristol had so much street art.
There’s a very good guided London walk around some of the street art there.
Have you seen the film Exit Through the Gift Shop?
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Thank you Joy! No, I have not seen the film yet but it’s on my to-do-list now as well as London street art walk.
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Nowhere is the saying “art is in the eye of the beholder” more true than when it comes to street art! I’ve been a fan for years, so I’m glad it’s becoming more accepted and legitimized — but I still agree with you that there’s a time and a place for everything. It certainly seems that Banksy has found his time and place! Thank you for this wonderful look at Birmingham’s street-art scene, Sasha.
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Many thanks for your comment! I feel good when I see that people are interested in what I am trying to do here.
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I just wanted to add that the problem with us humans is that whenever something outstanding and beautiful has been created or invented (let it be Internet, art, language – you name it), somebody abuses or even destroys it. 😦
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I sadly agree with you, Sasha: I’ll never understand the senseless impulse to destroy that seems to be ingrained in our species. It makes me a little bit ashamed sometimes to be human … 😦
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Yes, me too.
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You got it fixed! I am so glad!
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I just clicked on “follow – unfollow” -then again “follow”. Will you please try to do the same with my blog because I still do not receive notifications about your new posts.
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Just did – let’s see what happens!
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It worked!
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Mazal Tov! I am so glad!
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Definitely opinions differ on what is art, and the line between it and vandalism.
Thanks for this peek of Bristol.
Thanks so very much for the follow!
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Happy blogging! 🙂
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Thank you, Sasha.
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Beautiful ART! 🙂
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