AXE 6 : LA CRÉATION ET LE RAPPORT AUX ARTS

Will you get Banksy-ed?Key question: How do Banksy’s works of art constantly question art?

MISSION 1: A secret Identitya. Look at the still and comment on it

b. Listen to the audio and pick out information about Banksy and his various activities.

c. Find out where we can usually see his artworks and explain the quote: “The world is his canvas”.

d. What is Banksy’s opinion on the sale of his works of art?

ON YOUR OWN: Learn more about him

1

Who is Banksy ?

Banksy is an unknown British graffiti artist. He is believed to be a native of Yate, south Gloucestershire, near Bristol, England. His artworks are often satirical pieces of art on topics such as politics, culture and ethics. His street art which combines graffiti writing with a stenciling technique, is similar to Blek Le Rat, who began to work with stencils in 1981 in Paris.

MISSION 2: Famous artworks and controversy

a. Focus on Banksy’s works of art. What strikes you about them?b. Describe each artwork.c. Explain what messages they convey?

Banksy, Mobile Lovers, 2014Banksy, Slave Labour, 2012

(made on the wall of a store in May 2012, just a few weeks before the opening of the London Summer Olympics)

MISSION 3: Surprise at the auction sale

a. Watch the video and pick out information about the event (place, event, price)

b. Explain the surprise organized by Banksy

c. Comment on people’s reactions

HOMEWORK: BE READY to present an artwork in the oral

Go online, look for two other pieces of street art by Banksy, then comment on them.

1. Describe them.2

2. Say what message they convey3. Say why you have chosen them

MISSION 4: Making fun of the art world?Reading comprehension

1. Look at the headline and the subheading. Make hypotheses about the article.2. Read the article. Pick out all the transparent words.3. Tick the true statements.

Works of art are made to be sold. Money and art go hand in hand. Banksy accused the art world of only being interested in making profit. The event will change the way the art world works.

4. Identify elements in the text that justify that:a. Art dealers and the system considered art works as objects.b. The artist made fun at art dealers.c. He wanted to make a point.

5. Read this extract and underline all the elements that give an ironic tone to it:“Of course, the market will smile and the cash tills will go on ringing. Yet, for once, the community bit back. Art turned on the ends that feed it.”

3

The buzz around The girl with Balloon:

The stunt did not decrease the value of Girl with Balloon, and the anonymous buyer still purchased the piece of art. “Banksy didn’t destroy an artwork in the