Art or Vandalism?

Wikipedia: Banksy is an anonymous England-based street artist, vandal, political activist, and film director, active since the 1990s. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti executed in a distinctive stenciling technique. His works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.

I've known of and been interested in the work of Bansky for years, so during a recent trip to Las Vegas it was a nice surprise to find an exhibit of his work in town at the same time. I thought it would be one more nice break from the lights and action of the "strip." We had already gone on a wonderful hiking excursion the day before in Red Rock Canyon, about a thirty minute drive from the city. So this was another chance to experience something other than the quest for the legendary (and elusive) Royal Flush or three Jackpot symbols lined up in a row. I thought I had a pretty good idea about what examples of his work I would see, but I was not prepared for the entirety of it. 

There were the expected displays of murals on alley walls that were pretty cool, but didn't provoke any deep thoughts. 

 

The anti-capitalist themes were prevalent.

 

Of course plenty of anti-authority illustrations.

 

And a touch of irony. Like this comment on closed circuit television ... with a video camera positioned near it in the top right corner. It was not part of the actual work and I'm not sure if its presence was intended to be so prominent. I looked at the camera gave it a nod of approval just in case.

 

I was maintaining a mostly casual and lighthearted attitude while enjoying the subtle, or obvious, political messages and sarcasm scattered throughout the displays. But my mood changed drastically when I came upon the piece called "Holocaust Lipstick." 

I have seen close-up paintings by Monet, Picasso and Van Gogh. Photographs by Yousef Karsh, Gary Winogrand and Ansel Adams. A few of them have affected me personally and emotionally. But this one really got to me in a way like no other work of art I've seen. In the description was an extract from the diary of Lieutenant Colonel Mervin Gonindso, who was among the first British soldiers to liberate the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp during World War II -

 

I apologize for it being slightly out of focus but I was a little unsteady after reading it.

Here is the accompanying artwork -

 

I can't imagine anyone seeing this and not being moved by it in some way. This is art. Unexpected and somewhat out of place in the context of the rest of the exhibit. Maybe even what could be considered out of character for this particular artist. But that's what happens when you are inspired. You move out of your comfort zone and explore new concepts and ideas. That's when something like this can happen. I'm glad I was able to see it. 

Roger O'Dea    2/7/2020