Little is known about him. Or rather, many know but no one has seen it. Who are we talking about? By the artist Banksy who once again is the protagonist of an exhibition in Italy. He is considered by many to be one of the greatest contemporary representatives of pop art. But let's see where his works can be admired.
Banksy on display in Cagliari
Until 27 October the city of Cagliari hosts the exhibition "From the street tothe museum: works of the artist known as Banksy" - "From the street to the museum, the words of the artist known as Banksy". The exhibition is curated by Gianluca Marziani and Stefano Antonelli, promoted by the Camù Consortium and the MetaMorfosi association, with the patronage of the Municipality. It can be admired at the Municipal Center of and culture "The ghetto" of Cagliari.
The myth of Banksy, who is this mysterious artist
But let's go back to talking about this artist. As you know Banksy, no one has ever seen him. His face is unknown and there are no photos showing him. He would be originally from Bristol. But even if you don't know who he is talking about, it's his works. Street art artist, he is considered one of the most popular since the time of Andy Warhol. His works have an ethical, evocative and media power. The themes dealt with in his works range from politics, culture and ethics, with a satirical streak. There are many works that are for a short time appeared on the streets, city walls and bridges around the world.
The exhibition in Italy what it contains
In Cagliari, therefore, after Florence and Osimo, you can admire his works. Twenty images that contain all his irreverent poetics. “The artist - reads a note - has always preferred horizontal diffusion over the creation of unique objects”. In this he draws heavily on Warhol. The time span of this installation on Banksy is that between 2002 and 2010, a fundamental period to understand and tell the work of this mysterious artist. They are screen prints made by his own printing house. They reproduce some of his famous road interventions, documenting works that have become "popular frescoes". Then removed, stolen or worn out by time.
An exhibition itinerary to be discovered
Among the works on display “Balloon girl”, the little girl with a red balloon in her hand. This work became famous for its self-destruction, immediately after being auctioned for over 1 million euros. Also in the exhibition there will also be an infographic on the artist's chronology. It will be possible to read historical files on the works with photographic documentation. But also original 'black books', original posters of his exhibitions, counterfeit banknotes and a selection of videos.
The message of his art
His are immediate messages. A simple but not elementary imagery. He tackles the themes of the capitalism, war and social control. Analyzes the contradictions and paradoxes of contemporaneity with colors. “Banksy - curator Gianluca Marziani told the press - helps us understand“ the semantic contradictions of our time ”. "In an era where analog and digital coexist for obvious reasons where technology speeds up times but changes vital parameters, where Democracy wobbles in a thousand ways, in such a world here is an author who makes the codes of narcissism implode ”. He remains invisible but works on roads and public places, "ironically crumbling the strong powers, inventing urban icons that somatize the glaring knots of this millennium".