Banksy identity auction removed from EBay -- was it a hoax?
An auction on EBay that offered to reveal the identity of the elusive British street artist known as Banksy to the highest bidder has been removed from the website just one day before it was scheduled to close. But was the whole thing just a hoax? Knowing how Banksy operates, the answer is a definite maybe.
As of Monday night, a number of people had placed bids, with the highest coming in at just under $1 million. The seller claimed to have written proof of Bansky's identity based on tax records from art sales. On Tuesday, however, the auction had been deleted from EBay, with the site saying: "This listing ... has been removed, or this item is not available."
Banksy is famous for his stenciled graffiti work that has popped up on outdoor walls and buildings throughout the world. Despite his anonymous persona, the artist has apparently given interviews to reporters, though his exact identity remains a secret.
Given the artist's penchant for pulling fast ones on the public, the recently deleted EBay auction was widely suspected of being a prank, possibly by Banksy himself. Meanwhile, similar auctions claiming to have the identity of the artist have been popping up on EBay, though it remains unclear if the sellers are connected.
Circumstantial evidence suggests that the deleted auction was an elaborate prank executed in the name of publicity. Consider, if you will, the following:
Oscars / BAFTA: It's officially awards season and "Exit Through the Gift Shop" is seen as a strong contender in the documentary categories and more. It's possible that the (faux) auction was a stunt to keep Banksy in the news in hopes of earning nominations. On Tuesday, the movie (and Banksy) received a BAFTA nomination for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer. Mission accomplished?
Credit controversy: As recently reported in the New York Times, a Swiss filmmaker named Joachim Levy is demanding directorial credit for "Exit Through the Gift Shop." Levy worked with French artist Thierry Guetta on the movie-within-the-movie, titled "Life Remote Control," which Banksy is believed to have refashioned (sort of) into "Exit." The levels of meta-ness are dizzying. Was the EBay auction a diversionary tactic? Or maybe the credit controversy is just a prank as well?
RELATED:
Banksy's Oscar chances looking strong for "Exit Through the Gift Shop"
Banksy leaves his mark on "The Simpsons"
Graffiti and street art show to take over MOCA's Geffen Contemporary in 2011
-- David Ng
Photo: A scene from "Exit Through the Gift Shop." Credit: Paranoid Pictures
Who cares?
Posted by: v23 | January 18, 2011 at 11:03 AM
I am Banksy!
Posted by: Banksy | January 18, 2011 at 11:21 AM
Stop with the overthink already.
Posted by: Jack Meoph | January 18, 2011 at 11:24 AM
Levels of "meta-ness" ?
C'mon... it's not that complicated. Don't confuse obfuscation for depth.
Posted by: Eric | January 18, 2011 at 11:26 AM
i'll tell you his name for a million dollars, i'll give you a hint, his first name is Robin
Posted by: metalmelter | January 18, 2011 at 11:37 AM
They should learn from (one of the many) plot(s) in The Dark Knight. Banksy=Batman.
Posted by: sophie | January 18, 2011 at 12:25 PM
Who cares about this guy
Posted by: jau | January 18, 2011 at 01:03 PM
Apparently he's some guy who does graffiti. Does it really matter that his name is Mike, or Carl, or Achmed? Well, maybe if it's Achmed...
Posted by: jijjy | January 18, 2011 at 01:24 PM
a new auction is up http://cgi.ebay.com/The-Identity-of-Banksy_W0QQitemZ130476675195QQihZ003QQcategoryZ4174QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Posted by: Fact Check | January 18, 2011 at 02:53 PM
Who really, really, rrrrrrrreally, honestly cares? This diversion from the tangible art world is maddening enough without any faint stab at honoring any real story on simulacra artwork by a legitimate social commentator as opposed to another mere inexorable medium-brow art commodity phenomenon, much less marketable post-sellout Obey phantasmagorical ghost.
Insert very looong *yawn* here. very long.
Posted by: stevenmichael | January 18, 2011 at 03:24 PM
You care . You posted. But really-- isn't everything about him a hoax?
Posted by: william wray | January 18, 2011 at 05:26 PM
It's back up now. 1 bid $3,000
Posted by: Rob | January 18, 2011 at 09:38 PM
The credit controversy is NOT a hoax. I know Mr. Levy personally. The auction I don't know anything about. I really hope my friend gets credit and payment for his work.
Posted by: khope | January 18, 2011 at 10:11 PM
i so care.
thanks for reminding me
Posted by: stevenmichael | January 19, 2011 at 10:00 AM
I'm here to help.
Posted by: william wray | January 19, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Naaaaaah, still dont care. Truly, one way nor the other. Just not interested.
Posted by: Donald Frazell | January 19, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Not every thing that happens in Banksy's world is a prank people. LA Times, contact me, I've finished an article / interview with further proof of the real-ness of the Banksy film.
Posted by: Matt | January 19, 2011 at 05:08 PM
I don't really care, he's a kid with a spray can. The only reason that he doesn't want his name known is because he's too scared to go to jail for vandalism.
Posted by: Adam | January 19, 2011 at 08:16 PM
true perhaps. but seems he's older than Jackson Pollock.
Posted by: stevenmichael | January 20, 2011 at 09:59 AM
If Banksy wins the Oscar, I wonder what he's going to do with it. Chop it up into slices? Defile it?
Whatever it is, it's sure to be another breakthrough.
Posted by: Dave | January 20, 2011 at 10:41 AM