Blog Post #1

I can't remember the first time I saw this art, all I remember is that it was on a computer when I was searching through images of graffiti. I couldn't exactly say why but I remember really liking it. There was nothing especially relevant going on in my life at the time.

The artist is named Banksy. I don't really know much about him other than that he works with spray paint as his medium. The piece itself is 2 soldiers. One is crouched and the other is standing hunched over, painting a large red peace symbol. They both appear to be somewhat on alert, and looking off in the same general area. It is not entirely clear what is happening other than that one is painting, one is guarding, and they are both looking around as if they are nervous.

The art had only a personal impact on me. I liked how many different interpretations there are. What was the situation? Were they doing something they weren't supposed to do, and therefore nervous of being caught? If that were the case, the message might be that soldiers are encouraged by their superiors to be violent and not to spread peace. Or perhaps, they are in a combat zone and that is why they are nervous. If that is the case, the message might be that while on the outside they are tough killers, on the inside they are still just young men who want peace. Depending on how you see their situation, the message changes. 

This art managed to reach me for the same reason stated above. The mystery surrounding it and what it is supposed to communicate. The medium and form of presentation is also interesting. Graffiti on the side of a building is the canvas that this artist chose. Not a wall in a gallery, or a big sheet of paper, but just classic vandalism on a wall in the street. It sort of draws forth the vague taboo suggested by the art itself.