Oscar street art watch: Banksy work spotted again in Los Angeles
British graffiti street artist Banksy is continuing his assault on Los Angeles in advance of Sunday's Academy Awards, where his film "Exit Through the Gift Shop" is up for best documentary. The latest art piece has been found on Washington Boulevard at Compton Avenue, just east of the 110 Freeway and south of the 10.
The piece is titled "Crayon Foreclosure." According to a source, who asked not to be named, the art went up between late Sunday night and early Monday morning. It features flourishes similar to those in "Crayon Shooter," which the British artist put up in Westwood last week. (Note: A reader recently informed me that "Crayon Shooter" was defaced with a small swastika on the kid's face.)
According to Banksy's website, it's not his only new artwork in Los Angeles. He also seems to have tagged a giant water tank on Pacific Coast Highway in Santa Monica with the words, "It looks a bit like an elephant." In addition, he's also spoofed the unique traffic signs that adorn Interstate 5 near San Diego that warn drivers to watch out for families -- presumably from south of the border -- crossing the multi-lane highway. Banksy's version, called "Caution, Fun," features a running man, woman and child, only the man is holding a kite. The spray-painted work is located somewhere in East Los Angeles, but we don't yet have a precise location.
With only a handful of days to go to the Oscars, the guy is clearly inspired. Perhaps he has something large-scale planned for the big night.
-- Nicole Sperling
Photo: "Crayon Foreclosure." Credit: John Andreas
The Banksy water tank on PCH was removed yesterday.
Posted by: Ken Ferns | March 05, 2011 at 12:47 PM
Take a look at the NEW Banksy http://www.howtosellabanksy.com/
Posted by: Christopher Thompson | February 25, 2011 at 07:23 AM
he always attacks the "establishment" and the morality therein, and yet its the club he's so eager to join, in the UK we call these people champagne socialists, theyre the worst type of hypocrite, claiming to speak up for the "common man" whilst sipping champagne in the first class compartment of a 747
Posted by: christopher hudson | February 25, 2011 at 06:13 AM
Apparently the one one Cesar Chavez is a fake because the kite the man is holding only has 5 ties (it's suppose to have 6 ties), the one on 1st and Soto in Boyle Heights is real and on his website. It is still up and looks fresh, I went to see it tonight before it gets vandalized.
Posted by: Laura@charcoaldesigns | February 25, 2011 at 03:10 AM
"why doesn't the LAPD hunt him down and lock him up?"
Authorities have tried to catch him all over the world, and still are trying. That is exactly why we probably won't see him accept his award (which he deserves). I can't wait to see what he puts up Sunday. This has made me actually want to tune in to the stupid show.
Posted by: C. | February 24, 2011 at 08:21 AM
Whatever you want to call it, Art or vandalism, that wall is worth $ now
Posted by: Clem So | February 24, 2011 at 01:13 AM
his world class vandalism got him nominated for an Oscar, watch the show on Sunday
Posted by: William | February 23, 2011 at 10:25 PM
correction: Tachowa 2010 or Something from Nothing on Youtube
Posted by: William Bush | February 23, 2011 at 05:47 PM
Just another vandal who deserves to be prosecuted, not celebrated.
Posted by: Chris | February 23, 2011 at 05:38 PM
Seriously? You call that act of vandalism art?!
Posted by: Zonker | February 23, 2011 at 05:36 PM
A man lives in the tank, Tatchowa Covington. Google Tatchowa for youtube videos
Posted by: William Bush | February 23, 2011 at 05:08 PM
SO WHAT?
Posted by: stevenmichael | February 23, 2011 at 05:01 PM
why doesn't the LAPD hunt him down and lock him up? he's clearly breaking one law or another, probably a whole bunch, so he's a good candidate to be swallowed up by the prison industrial complex here in the USA.
a whole bunch of cops, judges, lawyers, prison guards, and politicians can all make their fare share off of him.
Posted by: bill | February 23, 2011 at 04:52 PM
legend
Posted by: geoff | February 23, 2011 at 04:28 PM
the water tank is in Pacific Palisades (PCH, south to Temescal Canyon)
Posted by: David in Los Angeles | February 23, 2011 at 04:05 PM
The running family with a kite is located on Cesar Chavez & Pleasant Ave. on the southwest side of the street on the bridge wall. Very nicely placed so as to include a backdrop of DTLA when photographing.
Posted by: Nazrafel | February 23, 2011 at 04:02 PM
The "Crossing Dream" piece is on 411 Washighton Blvd. A few blocks away from the "foreclosure" piece.
Posted by: Enrique Vergara | February 23, 2011 at 02:32 PM