The single best collection of photographs of Banksy s street work. Period. You Are An Acceptable Level of Threat concentrates on this singular artist s iconic imagery, spanning the late 90s up until NOW. The locations are from around the world (predominantly the UK, US and Europe), and many images have never been seen before. When Banksy started out painting, the political landscape was bleak. Fortunately now, it's ten times worse. As Banksy s cheerfully aggressive political work becomes ever more relevant, this comprehensive tome sets about presenting his art in the context of the era he was responding to.
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21 of 22 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
[Published in MIT's The Tech] - You know the dull wall of Building E38 (pink, cream, whatever) that runs between MIT Press and Cosi? The other day somebody had the audacity (dare I say, the good heart) to spray-paint two machine guns with barrels curved together in the shape of a heart. When I saw this act of vandalism, I smiled and nodded. For I have learned to appreciate this kind of art. Street art. And it's thanks to Banksy.
Maybe you don't know who Banksy is. Most people don't. This is a shame, for he is one of the most memorable visual artists of his generation. I call him an artist, but he prefers to be called a vandal. He's also a provocateur, a thinker, a poet, and Zen master of sorts.
In a new book on the elusive artist, Banksy: You Are an Acceptable Level of Threat, Patrick Potter describes Banksy as "an anonymous street artist from Bristol who rose to international fame in the late 1990s and the present day chiefly by illegally spray painting stencil designs across the major cities of the U.K. and North America." It's not street art if it isn't illegal, we are reminded, along with a quote from Banksy: "Crime against property is no real crime."
At this point, Banksy is anonymous by choice. Not only his choice, mind you, but the stubborn denial of his followers and fans: "Our myths are far more important to us than some **** with a real life." Banksy will live forever anonymously, writes Potter, "and that is as it should be. Even if he came tomorrow and revealed herself. We still wouldn't have it." Plus, anonymity is kind of handy; if you're going to play Zorro, you better damn well wear the mask.
As an artist, Banksy has tackled some of the most controversial topics of the day. In 2008 Banksy went to New Orleans, to "draw attention to the slow recovery of the city and criticise the perceived lack of political will to put money into the clean up." And his "summer project" on Israel's Wall has been called "one of the most pertinent artistic and political commentaries in recent memory" by a supporter of the Palestinian cause. Given these risky moves, anonymity is not the only layer of protection Banksy uses. Another one is replication. As Potter points out, "In his early days it seems likely that Banksy was one guy, these days there are reasons enough to suspect that there might be more than one artist working under the cypher."
If you are not familiar with Banksy -- not the man, but the style, the school of thought, the revolutionary brand -- I recommend you take a look. A fast and fun way to become acquainted is to watch his Oscar-nominated documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which Potter accurately describes as "a disorienting hall of mirrors, fun to watch but ultimately leaving you with the feeling you'd been conned but you still weren't sure exactly how."
Another way is to grab a copy of Banksy: You Are an Acceptable Level of Threat, and look back at the mesmerizing images of the protester throwing a bouquet of flowers, the girl whose heart-shaped balloon is blown away by the wind, and the ubiquitous Banksy rats. For if you contemplate them, as if a Zen koan, you will understand who Banksy is. As said by Banksy himself, "there's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place."
Maybe you don't know who Banksy is. Most people don't. This is a shame, for he is one of the most memorable visual artists of his generation. I call him an artist, but he prefers to be called a vandal. He's also a provocateur, a thinker, a poet, and Zen master of sorts.
In a new book on the elusive artist, Banksy: You Are an Acceptable Level of Threat, Patrick Potter describes Banksy as "an anonymous street artist from Bristol who rose to international fame in the late 1990s and the present day chiefly by illegally spray painting stencil designs across the major cities of the U.K. and North America." It's not street art if it isn't illegal, we are reminded, along with a quote from Banksy: "Crime against property is no real crime."
At this point, Banksy is anonymous by choice. Not only his choice, mind you, but the stubborn denial of his followers and fans: "Our myths are far more important to us than some **** with a real life." Banksy will live forever anonymously, writes Potter, "and that is as it should be. Even if he came tomorrow and revealed herself. We still wouldn't have it." Plus, anonymity is kind of handy; if you're going to play Zorro, you better damn well wear the mask.
As an artist, Banksy has tackled some of the most controversial topics of the day. In 2008 Banksy went to New Orleans, to "draw attention to the slow recovery of the city and criticise the perceived lack of political will to put money into the clean up." And his "summer project" on Israel's Wall has been called "one of the most pertinent artistic and political commentaries in recent memory" by a supporter of the Palestinian cause. Given these risky moves, anonymity is not the only layer of protection Banksy uses. Another one is replication. As Potter points out, "In his early days it seems likely that Banksy was one guy, these days there are reasons enough to suspect that there might be more than one artist working under the cypher."
If you are not familiar with Banksy -- not the man, but the style, the school of thought, the revolutionary brand -- I recommend you take a look. A fast and fun way to become acquainted is to watch his Oscar-nominated documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop, which Potter accurately describes as "a disorienting hall of mirrors, fun to watch but ultimately leaving you with the feeling you'd been conned but you still weren't sure exactly how."
Another way is to grab a copy of Banksy: You Are an Acceptable Level of Threat, and look back at the mesmerizing images of the protester throwing a bouquet of flowers, the girl whose heart-shaped balloon is blown away by the wind, and the ubiquitous Banksy rats. For if you contemplate them, as if a Zen koan, you will understand who Banksy is. As said by Banksy himself, "there's nothing more dangerous than someone who wants to make the world a better place."
14 of 15 people found the following review helpful
By kat
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this book and Banksy's "Wall and Peace" at the same time, and prefer the other because of Banksy's witticisms and writing, although this book provides a great deal of visual information about the current world of street art. As a visual arts teacher I use both books as demonstrations of communication with line and message.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By SkinnyBoyArt
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
I enjoyed this book but honestly I was a bit dissapointed.
I had purchased this and "Wall and Piece" and greatly prefer "Wall and piece" to this book. Its an enjoyable book and the photographs of Banksy's work is clear and amazing. However it seems that not all of the art work is by Banksy. I believe they included other work by street artists that were "inspired" by Banksy. So at times it difficult to tell what is Banksy and whats not.
This book also had much more writting in it then I thought which was nice. However it was written by a third party group and not Banksy (like he does in "wall and piece").
All in all I did like this book. It will be good to add to my collection. But if your looking for one single amazing book about Banksy and he's work. Your better off getting "Wall and Piece" by banksy himself.
I had purchased this and "Wall and Piece" and greatly prefer "Wall and piece" to this book. Its an enjoyable book and the photographs of Banksy's work is clear and amazing. However it seems that not all of the art work is by Banksy. I believe they included other work by street artists that were "inspired" by Banksy. So at times it difficult to tell what is Banksy and whats not.
This book also had much more writting in it then I thought which was nice. However it was written by a third party group and not Banksy (like he does in "wall and piece").
All in all I did like this book. It will be good to add to my collection. But if your looking for one single amazing book about Banksy and he's work. Your better off getting "Wall and Piece" by banksy himself.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
great quality and content
This fun book sits on our coffee table proudly. i bought a print of his and now we have them all.
Published 12 days ago by Josh Rifkin
1.0 out of 5 stars
InFO WaR??
Perhaps "banksy" does not reveal his real name, identity( for all you honest folks, he is not british, he is a American citizen, with a social security number) because people like... Read more
Published 1 month ago by A
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book
Got for a gift, really nice quality of pages and material. One corner was a little dented tho when received.
Published 2 months ago by Jorddaay
5.0 out of 5 stars
Banksy the Bada$$
A great book detailing newer works of Banksy with stories behind the art when possible. A must have for any Banksy fan.
Published 2 months ago by Kai Banger
5.0 out of 5 stars
better Banksy
We own both this and the other Banksy book. This one is better stock; it is a fuller catalogue, and the paper is of higher quality. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Jonathan Beall
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is a nive book
This is a nice book, well done, full of nice images. I am happy I bought it. I really like the art of Banksy.
Published 4 months ago by Filippo
5.0 out of 5 stars
The most vital and brilliant artist alive today...
You may not like every idea that Banksy presents in his work but compared to the recent crop trend of academic and conceptual art that seems to be the in thing in contemporary art,... Read more
Published 4 months ago by abp
4.0 out of 5 stars
Whimsical and fun
The art speaks for itself - witty, topical, bitingly relevant and beautifully crafted at the same time, defines street art. The illustrations are excellent and well placed. Read more
Published 4 months ago by topcat77
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome
Learned many new things about Banksy and saw some great pieces. Overall, it was a great purchase and i am greatly satisfied.
Published 4 months ago by rdo5020
5.0 out of 5 stars
banksy
great book. i should have bought 2 its getting so man handled by everyone who sees it i want to keep one pristine
Published 4 months ago by Jason Rainey
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