Blek V's Banksy

[nuart]

I'll keep this on the Blek site.. was thinking this the other day.

Banksy has no doubt carved his place in art history, at least in British art history, but more than likely if he continues, he'll become more than a footnote in the histiry of art.

When art historians and critics come to look at the Banksy heritage, when books are being published and retrospectives held. Do you think Blek Le Rat will be up there with him, more so than any other artists ?

No disrespect intended, but most likely, most others will be a tiny forgotton footnote in the Banksy story, rarely if ever mentioned. Perhaps the likes of Arofish will be mentioned alongside the likes of Faile etc. But Blek Le Rat.. due to Banksy's popularity and importance, will be waaayyy up there too. Discussed and disected, theorised and lauded by the same critics that will be discussing and analysing Banksy.

Long live Blek Le Rat

What do you guys think ?

[nuart]

corblimeylimey said:

Got to agree Nu, Blek has got to come into the Banksy story. Wasn't Blek one of the first stencil artists and definitely producing work on the streets before Banksy. I'm sure Banksy didn't copy Blek's rats but the fact that he ended up doing rats adds to the case too.

Well, Blek didn't actually invent it, but he is certainly amongst those first documented in the west to use it on the streets as art as opposed to propoganda etc. There was a massive amount of stencilling (Pochoir) in Paris in the 80's.. outside clubs, the pavements, the streets.. not unlike Shoreditch in the early 2000's.. many were little inconsequential bits.. but there was a lot of them. Blek was the amongst those who took it to another level in the late 80's alongside the likes of Jérome Mesnager etc. It's pretty much a French phenomenon..

Not sure of the Banksy/Blek link, but it's highly likely that Banksy was aware of Blek either before or shortly after he started integrating stencils into his work.

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