Banksy Grappling Hook - Opportunity to Purchase

interesting concept.

i never got the invite to the dangling, so in effect count myself lucky.

to those who had another kind of luck - good luck with "that one!"

adding another thought.... obviously these were produced by a factory or skilled craftsman somewhere, not made by hand by Banksy. so basically he's selling a signed tchotchka for 40k.... the idea of this coming from a former (?) anarchist/free festival goer/carnie/nomad/anti-capitalist etc makes me squirm

i definitely partially agree - some of his prints feel completely flat and lifeless to me, especially certain ones out of context from how they originally appeared, but to me when I think Banksy I don't think "grappling hook" - I think a roughly spray painted modern day version of a political cartoon. for me, the hook is just a bland object; even a gaudy status symbol - it gives me no pleasure aesthetically or emotionally

but again, I don't expect everyone to have the same opinions as me and if someone enjoys it and can afford it, then i say god bless

I just been to the walled off and saw the cruzihook in persona.....if I had the cash it would be a no brainer....it Looks fantastic, I also liked the shadowplay of it on the wall and think there are some pretty cool ways to display it. Of course you can argue about the meaning, intention, etc.......but you could have These arguments about nearly every Piece of art couldn't you

At the price being asked, it does seem a status symbol (I purposely left out the word gaudy). When I think about Banksy, I think about a very political artist who used roughly sprayed images to convey his ideas. Often illegal and timely - thus the need for speed and the reason for crudely produced stenciling. I also think about an artist who understands that for art that is political to matter it has to be of the people for the people. But while the painted images might be humorous, eye catching, and cartoon-like, they are not immersive. Thus the move to large scale, multifaceted, participatory art that forces us out of our homes and hometowns where we are comfortable. An attempt to make each of us a part of his art. I greatly admire and respect this. For me, the Walled Off Hotel is brilliant.

And then there is the dark side of the Banksy revolution. The mad scramble for prints, the greed and the insane amounts of money which are so contrary to the whole notion of street art. It is no long for the people but for the few and the wealthy. Sadly, at the price being asked for the grappling hook crucifix, it is a part of the dark side from the outset. I had read somewhere that all of the money from the sale of these is to be donated back to Palestinian relief efforts (can anyone confirm this?), so there is that, but I still think the price itself ruins the art for me.

As for those who have trouble seeing any symbolism or meaning behind the image (it is, after all, like a 3D version of an image he could have produced on paper or canvas), I’m rather surprised. Why is this more difficult to understand than Toxic Mary, Christ Shopping, or Napalm? I hate to repeat things in threads, but given the size, the political situation (made worse in recent days by Trump), and the power of the art, I would love to hang this over my front door in the entry. But the price is very much a turn off. In truth, I don’t own any Banksy art. Paying tens of thousands of dollars bastardizes the very art being bought. Just my opinion.

>>>And then there is the dark side of the Banksy revolution. The mad scramble for prints, the greed and the insane amounts of money which are so contrary to the whole notion of street art. It is no long for the people but for the few and the wealthy. Sadly, at the price being asked for the grappling hook crucifix, it is a part of the dark side from the outset. <<<

This is what happens when an artist reaches the no good deed paradigm; he's criticized no matter anymore. It was less than 2 months ago that some 500 prints were released for a tiny fraction of their true value which is extremely generous by any definition. He took in far less money then he could have and most likely added significantly to the back end workload for pest control dealing with COA's for any and all with that release. He could have raised the better part of 10 million sterling (at 20k each) but chose to give away 98% of that sum instead. Most would do no such thing. That is the very definition of "for the people" from my vantage point. Yes, some were allocated to long time supporters but it's obvious that many were allocated on pure luck. And then after giving away that kind of money he's criticized for behaving as an artist with like achievement. I'm jaded and biased but I don't see the cash grab that others do, on the contrary in fact.

Comparing Banksy 'then' with Banksy 'now' is like comparing apples with oranges.

I don't see 'only' raising a quarter of a million pounds from the 'Sale Ends' release as particularly meritorious.

This piece prices out the flippers - whoopee shit.

If the asking price separates bankers from a fraction of their bonuses and goes towards something good, excellent.

Good God! I sounded like Trump, didn’t I.

Makes the price understandable. Banksy definitely has his priorities straight.

ahah funny mate !
For me, since the beginning, it makes me think to Mason Storm sculptures, He loves Crucifix with derivations...

What else was he going to do ? an edition of 26 signed fourty foot fucking ladders ?

as the Grappling hook or ladder are the only way over the wall