What do you picture when you hear the word “Anarchy?”

Source: http://www.activistpost.com/2011/01/anarchist-utopia.html

What do you picture when you hear the word “anarchy?” Do you picture a mob of angry people smashing windows and looting televisions? Do you picture fire, destruction, and carnage? Do you picture idiots with T-shirts tied around their faces throwing rocks and tipping over cars?

If you are like most Americans, these are the exact images that pop into your head, and that is very unfortunate. Although many people (correctly) believe that chaos would be the absolute end result of anarchy, it is important to remember that “anarchy” itself is not a synonym for “chaos” (although it is quite often and unfairly used that way).

Unfortunately, one bad apple spoils the bunch, and most people who openly call themselves “anarchists” are those bad apples. The ironic part is, most of these people are “anti-capitalists” and, therefore, support political systems where governments control economies. How can you honestly call yourself an anarchist if you support government control of anything?

Do you support the work of the artist ‘Banksy’?

For those who need an introduction, Banksy is deservedly the most famous or notorious (what you will) street artist in the world today. Though he started his exploits in the streets of England, he is of international renown for works in such locations as New Orleans, Paris, Los Angeles, Melbourne and the Israeli West Bank. He’s also a master prankster and pretty much the figurehead of anarchic protest art.

 

I have no doubt he has earned his place in art history. His book Wall and Piece is one of the coolest and cleverest art books you can get today. There’s no question of his technical abilities and his versatility as an artist. How he can take another work of art and redefine  it to be seen in a contemporary, socio- political viewpoint means he’s an appropriator in the most skilled and respected sense. But what I love the most about his work is the humour. It is sun-  bleached wall dry with a strong sense of the charmingly wicked (I love his rats). I like how he makes a point of his work enhancing a location and never detracting. I know that not all would agree on that, especially municipal councils.

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

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