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Banksy Banksied Twice
Earlier today art.blogging.la reported that LA artist Jeff Gillette pulled a Banksy on Banksy by installing a piece of art in the British artist's show near the 10 freeway. It was a tip of the hat to Banksy who placed a parody piece in Gallery 49 of the British Museum two years ago that looked like anciet art until you looked closer and saw that it was a caveman pushing a shopping cart. The museum enjoyed the piece so much that they let it remain in their permanent collection.
Gillette's piece was removed about 15 minutes after it was placed in Banksy's "Barely Legal" show, but we have been made aware of another bit of culture jamming that could possibly still be in the collection.
A group that calls itself Santa's Sweatshop placed two rubber rats in the collection that fit in so well that they've stuck around. They've posted their work on MySpace and written us. Here's an excerpt from their email.
in short, we are guerrilla artists who consider banksy as a an important influence. although we do not cause perminent damage, we do similar installations, murals, etc. we added two rodent pieces (fernando and nipples) in the same spirit banksy added art pieces to museums in the past. we were able to successfully sneek in the two pieces and add them to the exhibition (one in the film room, the other in the roped-off living room) without detection. the pieces are meant to be a humorous tribute to our influence.
Sorta recalls that old saying "with friends like these who needs enemies."
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