World famous graffiti artist, Will Banksy, visited New Orleans a few weeks ago leaving a semi-permanent impact on the city. Banksy tagged about 12 walls while he visited. It was the third anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. Most of his works are somewhat of a visual commentary of the disaster. Banksy is perhaps the most famous graffiti artist around today. He has tagged illustrations in dozens of different countries. His taggings are being removed from their walls, wooden boards etc. and are being sold for hundreds of dollars. The reason for all of his popularity, besides his great talent, has been the fact that his art is public.
The media helps Banksy become famous through the advanced technology and communications of today. Word of mouth and seeing his work firsthand lead people to notice his work. Website postings and bloggers raving about his tags, have increased his popularity.
Also, the media has developed the stereotype of graffiti taggers being criminals, defacing property. Taggers are also known to be involved in gangs, which are also associated with violence and vandalism. Yet, Banksy's work has challenged this stereotype and all that the media pushes us to think. Even though Banksy is illegally spray painting illustrations on others' property, his work has become known as art. Few see it as a bad thing or as defacing property.
The media doesn't shine favorably on people who graffiti in our society, yet the media also helps to make it known; through internet and word of mouth communications. Graffiti art has become the latest art movement, with Will Banksy being the key figure.
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