It is critical to understand how art reflects society and simultaneously influences it. One of the most iconic moments in the modern history of art occurred in 2018 when Banksy’s work “Girl With Balloon” was shredded by the author immediately after being sold for $1.4 million (Edwards, 2021). This anonymous painter specializes in graffiti, although this piece was made on paper and placed in a special frame with a hidden shredder, as seen in Figure 1. This moment has inspired me to see artworks in their full complexity, including the history of their creation and the reasons why they were made. In this essay, I will examine one painting that impressed me during the course and explain how this class impacted my views.
This now-shredded painting piqued my interest regarding Banksy’s social commentary as I started to search for reasons behind his actions. I understood the context of this performance and saw how art could become a medium for one’s ideas. Since the author of this stunt remains anonymous, he can focus the attention of viewers on his works entirely. The meaning of Banksy’s painting, which is now called “Love is in the Bin,” reveals that the value of art is judged by its impact on humanity (Edwards, 2021). In my life and career, I will seek to convey my thoughts in a fashion that can spark motivation among others. If I want to change the world around me, it is necessary to keep people engaged in provoking ideas among the audience.
This course left a significant impression on me by teaching me how to view art in full depth they present to their viewers. I believe that each person sees the world through a unique lens, which makes it necessary to comprehend the possible interpretations of one’s actions, accomplishments, and works. As seen in the example of Banksy, who draws graffiti that are often temporary, the worthiness of art is not physical but ephemeral (Hutter, 2021). This realization has a profound influence on my estimation of how one’s accomplishments are judged by society.
This class has taught me how to analyze works of art critically, and I believe this skill is critical for my future career and education. The topics reviewed during this period made it apparent that studying human creativity is impossible to standardize, yet necessary to perform with proper knowledge and mindset. The final judge of each artwork’s validity and intention is the emotions that it stirs in people (Martin & Jacobus, 2018). I have learned about valid analytical approaches and interpretations of different art forms and will apply these critical skills in my life. My career can benefit greatly from taking into perspective the perceptions of my actions by others, and I will strive to reflect on my impact on society continuously.
In conclusion, in the example of Banksy’s “Love is in the Bin,” it is possible to see how art takes many forms simultaneously. Each step of production reveals a critical part of a work’s meaning, which is why it is necessary to analyze it in the context of its author’s intentions and social influences. Learning about different steps of interpretation of art allowed me to understand how deeper meanings can be delivered in an impactful way. This course shows the interconnectedness of the real world and art.
References
Edwards, J. (2021). Banksy tried to destroy his art after it sold for $1.4 million. The shredded version just went for $25.4 million. The Washington Post. Web.
Hutter, M. (2021). Three views of a saleroom. Valorization in and valuation of visual artworks by (mostly) Watteau, Altman, and Banksy. Journal for Art Market Studies, 5(1). Web.
Martin, F. D., & Jacobus, L. (2018). Humanities through the arts (10th ed.). McGraw-Hill Education.