Banksy

I recently watched the documentary, “Exit Through the Gift Shop”. This was street artist Banksy's first film. I had always been amazed with his work after visiting London. He is famous all over the world but being from Bristol he is most famous and well liked over-seas. I never knew much about him until this film though. It brought new insight into just how huge street art is becoming.

Banksy is best known for his anonymity and creative graffiti. He uses stencils as well as free hands his work. The majority of his work is done through stencils these days as it is much easier and quicker. Pansy’s messages usually are anti-war, anti-establishment, or anti-capitalist. His most popular subjects are rats, apes, children, and soldiers.

His work has gotten so popular these days that people are paying thousands for an original piece. Cristina Aguilera bought two prints for $25,000 while a set of Kate Moss paintings sold in London for $50,400. His highest auction record was over $288,000. People have even removed walls from houses just to have a Banksy original.

No matter how popular Banksy gets, he will never reveal his identity. There are very few people who have seen or talked to him face-to-face. There are many theories about what his real name is as well as what he looks like. I believe that it is the anonymity that attracts people to him.

However, the Oscars do not believe in such anonymity. The British artist has been denied permission to appear in disguise at the Academy Awards where he is up for the award of best documentary. The executive director of the Academy Awards, Bruce Davis, believes that if they allow Banksy to do this it would leave room for impostors to crash the ceremony. Banksy will not be able to accept his award or even sit in the audience in disguise. Many believe that Banksy is a breath of fresh air and the decision should be overturned and I agree. He lives through being anonymous. He should have his moment if he does win and I believe he should. His work has caught the attention of everyone. I know I will be looking for it while I’m out in LA next week.

Bieber Fever

Last night I had the pleasure of viewing the above video on my friends Facebook wall. It is a known fact that Justin Bieber has some of the craziest fans of any new artist recently. As we talked about in class yesterday, after what was thought to be Bieber’s award went to Esperanza Spalding, fans went crazy.

This controversy has so many people talking. People took to defacing her Wikipedia site as well as using various other outputs such as YouTube to express their emotions about the situation. Someone decided to change her middle name to “Quesadilla” as well as noting several times that nobody has ever heard of her. The Detroit Press used the phrase, “Esperanza Who?” Even NPR decided to get in on the action with a piece titled “Wait, Who is this Esperanza Spalding?”

People need to put this to rest. Even after Spalding and Bieber sat down for an interview together people still could not let it go. Bieber will get over it so stop your crying, it’s embarrassing. Popular and cliché music does not always win in the end.

The Grammy’s this year proved that music can win no matter what the fan base is. This was proven not only with Spalding’s win but with the huge win for Arcade Fire as well, a band who people have “never heard of” even though they have blown up everywhere this year. Music came through in the end for what seems like the first time in a long time, and that’s something everyone should be happy about.

KINGS OF LEON VS. GLEE?

I woke up this morning to find an article written by Spin about a feud that has arisen between Kings of Leon and the creator of 'Glee. Kings of Leon has been known for years to be a little bit full of themselves. Glee has asked them several times if they would like to be a part of the show, Kings of Leon always decline. In the eyes of the band, being part of such a show would be seen as selling out. Although, most fans, including myself believe they already have.

It is because Kings of Leon always declining that has gotten 'Glee' creator, Ryan Murphy, so upset. He believes that 'Glee' promotes children to join the arts in schools. Murphy has taken the bands rejection like a slap in the face, although the band has apologized several times.

The bigger news about this feud is that the drummer of the band took to Twitter to say" "Dear Ryan Murphy, let it go. See a therapist, get a manicure, buy a new bra. Zip your lip and focus on educating 7yr olds how to say fuck." It is this post that has gotten people so upset and so involved. Many people have taken this to be a homophobic post. Murphy responded back with, "Just read Nathan Followill's Tweet...in which he implied I should 'get a manicure and buy a bra.' Wow. That's a homophobe badly in need of some education. I'm all for manicures, don't wear a bra. Would guess most gay dudes don't. But it's telling that Nathan can reduce a group of people to a mean-spirited cliche, in a time where young gay men are killing themselves all over the country because of hatred like this." I could see where Murphy is coming from but there is no need to make a huge deal out of this. Just because someone doesn't want to be on 'Glee' there is no need to make a major scene out of it.

Black History Month

Today marks the start of Black History Month. It's the month where African-American history is celebrated in daily life and around the world. Although, many cleebrate Black History Month, few actually know how it came to be.



Black History Month has been recognzied by Americans since 1926. It was first known as "Negro History Week" and later became known as Black History Month. It was thanks to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, also referred to "the father of Black History, who we have to thank for this celebration. Woodson, upset with the lack of history of the black American in books, decided to write them into the nation's history. He also founded the Assocation for the Study of Negro Life and History, which it's main goal was to research and promote acievements of all those from African descent. Woodson also helped establish the Journal of Negro History, which was the association's publication.



It wasn't until 1926, that Woodson established "Negro History Week". This week was established to bring national awareness to african american's history and acheivements. Woodson chose this week in February due to the birthdays of two influential men in black history, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.


In 1976, President Gerald Ford decided to make "Negro History Week" into "Black History Month". It is since President Ford did this that every President decides a theme each year for the month of Febuary. The theme for last year was the history of black economic empowerment. It recognized the achievements of Jacob Lawrence, Annie Malone, and the National Urban League.

This years theme is African Americans and the Civil War. Ball State had orginally scheduled it's Black History Month event, "The Willie Lynch Project: Love & Relationships", for tomorrow night. But due to the weather, the event has been rescheduled to Wednesday Febuary 6th at 6pm. The event will take place in Cardinal Hall B.

SKINS

I am guilty of having an obsession with British television. Ever since I came back from London I have been hooked. My all-time favorite show is ‘Skins’. The show tells a story about British teenagers just trying to get through life in Bristol. One sees what goes on with their family, friends, and sometimes even their love life. It goes into detail with metal illness, substance abuse, and drugs.

Although, most of the show deals with them partying and doing drugs it is extremely entertaining. Every two seasons a new cast comes in. The new British series premiers this week and I wish I could be excited but, America is at minimum six months behind.

What has been really bothering me is the premier of the MTV version of ‘Skins’. This has been the topic of discussion for many people recently. Many peoples main gripe is that MTV failed to even change the storyline a little bit. They took the British version and just changed it to American characters. As you can see from the video below the two shows are extremely alike.





It is one thing to borrow some things from the UK version. However, to have the exact same storyline makes things dull. I will tune in to watch the new version but, I don’t believe I’m going to like it. If you’re going to bring a show like ‘Skins’ to the United States you should at least change a few things and make it different. Not just change the accent and look of the characters.