Banksy works cost public almost £150,000

Comments

• Swemg@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  They could just… Leave it?

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  • Akasazh@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    That’s not an option as the works are critical of the gouvernement and those sensitive souls in the pluche seats would be very upset about benig confronted with their blatant hypocrisy.

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  • CrabAndBroom@lemmy.ml ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    Or alternatively, not pay £85,000 to wash some paint off a brick wall?

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    • Tweak@feddit.uk ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      Hey now, they only paid £50k.

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• DandomRude@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  Banksy is an internationally renowned artist whose works are worth far more than that amount.

  The situation is very clear: His works were removed because those in charge did not like their subject matter, as they criticize the officials’ actions.

  On the one hand, this demonstrates the authorities’ inability to tolerate criticism; on the other hand, it reveals their irresponsibility: They are willing to spend such a large sum to silence criticism of their actions—if that were not the case, the works could just as easily have been removed from the affected buildings in a way that preserved them, so that they could even have been sold at a profit, provided there had been a willingness to reach an agreement with Banksy. This would have resulted in no financial loss.

  However, this was apparently not the desired outcome, as those in charge are clearly offended by the message of the works and wish to avoid having to justify their actions.

  In short: The financial loss consists of the costs incurred by those responsible in order to censor a political artist. Therefore, it would only be fair that the public not foot the bill, but rather those who initiated this action.

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  • Triumph@fedia.io ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    Indeed, the actions of authority to remove the art become part of the art.

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    • DandomRude@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      Yes, it’s quite possible that Banksy anticipated this reaction, since it’s really anything but surprising—after all, it wouldn’t be his first “self-destructing work of art.”

      Of course, it would be a true work of art if those responsible for the destruction of this “public property” were personally held accountable, but unfortunately that’s quite unlikely; nevertheless, the art lies in drawing attention to the state of free speech today and also to the fact that those responsible, unfortunately, always get away with it without any consequences.

      In any case: Once again, very skillfully done.

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  • Tweak@feddit.uk ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    on the other hand, it reveals their irresponsibility: They are willing to spend such a large sum to silence criticism of their actions

    It’s even worse than that, they basically poured the public purse into their favourite contractors’ hands, all so they could then pin liability for that expense onto the artist who criticised them.

    £50k to clean a small section of wall. Even with it being a listed building and even if they couldn’t figure out how to clean it off right away, that’s a ridiculous figure for what likely amounted to little more than 2 skilled workers over 3 days.

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  • yermaw@sh.itjust.works ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    provided there had been a willingness to reach an agreement with Banksy

    I dont know why that would be necessary. Yes its incredibly valuable art, but its still graffiti right? If some ned tags my wall with a swastika and “fok ya mom” i can still do whatever I want with that wall. Sell it if I want. I wouldn’t need to ask the kid.

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• Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  It’s really sad to see the BBC reduced to a mouthpiece for those in power. Older people will remember that it wasn’t always that way.

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  • atro_city@fedia.io ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    The ruling class don't like criticism for all to see.

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• resipsaloquitur@lemmy.cafe ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  How much have they wasted harassing anti-genocide protesters?

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• DrCake@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  And it’s cost double that to have a sham by-election in Clacton. Sounds a lot, but a drop in the ocean of public spending

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  • grue@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    It’s not a sham election! I know Count Binface seems like a shoe-in, but like it or not, Farage is technically a legitimate candidate.

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• Tweak@feddit.uk ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  Seeing as the BBC is basically trying to sensationalise this, I’ll break down the figures.

  • First, it’s across two works, not just the protestor one but the statue with the guy marching holding a flag that’s blowing in his face.
  • For the judge & protestor the government spent £50k trying to remove it, and £35k in overtime and securtity.
  • For the flag guy the government spent £60k on fencing and security.

  £95k of their “£150k” (actually £145k, I can only assume they rounded up to sensationalise as it’s literally the same character count) was spent on security, which no one and nothing called for. £50k on cleaning is also crazy, even for a listed building.

  The government’s careless spending should not be blamed on activists criticising them.

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  • purplemonkeymad@programming.dev ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    35k for trying to hide a small section of wall is crazy. I feel that someone is pocketing money there. Might have been cheaper for them to just charge entrance to see it.

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• nuko147@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  Security costs… lmao

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• alecbowles@feddit.uk ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  I call it BS. 150k to have it painted over? On your bike the man is a legend

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  • SpikesOtherDog@ani.social ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    For three works, to have them cleaned off AND have security.

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    • fyzzlefry@retrolemmy.com ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

      A guy with a power sprayer has his own security

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  • Malgas@beehaw.org ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    I bet the figure would be much higher if they included the value of the artwork they destroyed…

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• quarkquasar@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  And how much has Banksy brought in to the country through his art and fame?

  If they want to bill him, I say fine, but only if they pay him his fair dues first. Seems he probably ups the value of any building he touches.

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  • lobut@lemmy.ca ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

    Don’t get auction house shit off for millions …

    For Pete’s sake, I go to Banksy exhibits and stuff. 150K for that amount of cultural engagement is peanuts.

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• Maeve@kbin.earth ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  A fool knows the cost of everything, and the value of nothing.

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• zeppo@lemmy.world ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  I am upset

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• Malyca@lemmy.zip ⁨3⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  Jfc bbc is mask off evil now

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• blimthepixie@lemmy.dbzer0.com ⁨4⁩ ⁨days⁩ ago

  How much did this cost the council?

  youtu.be/RwK4NmQZe64

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