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BANKSY EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW "SWINDLE MAGAZINE"
Introduction by Shepard FaireyInterview by Shepard Fairey and Roger Gastman
Most people think of art as a way of conveying emotions, as opposed to language, the means by which we express ideas. Whatever line there is distinguishing art and language, BANKSY paints over it to make it disappear, then stealthily repaints it in the unlikeliest of places. His works, whether he puts them on the streets, sells them in galleries, or hangs them in museums on the sly, are filled with imagery tweaked into metaphors that cross all language barriers. The images are brilliant and funny, yet so simple and accessible that even children can find the meaning in them: even if six-year-olds don't know the first thing about culture wars, they have no trouble recognizing that something is amiss when they see a picture of the Mona Lisa holding a rocket launcher. A lot of artists can be neurotic, self-indulgent snobs using art for their own catharsis, but BANKSY distances himself from his work, using art to plant the feelings of discontent and distrust of authority that anyone can experience when he prompts them to ask themselves one gigantic question: Why is this wrong? If it makes people feel and think, he's accomplished his goal.
"I never go to the openings of my shows and I don't read chat rooms or go on myspace. All I know about what people think of my gear is what a couple of my friends tell me. And one of them always wants to borrow money, so I'm not sure how reliable he is."
To read more, check out SWINDLE or purchase SWINDLE #8
SWINDLE MAGAZINE:
SWINDLE fills a void for readers who desire a well-balanced periodical, one that is sophisticated but not too serious, intelligent and whimsical, progressive yet timeless, all at once. As both a product of the times and a documentation of them, SWINDLE manages to stay modern and culturally relevant without falling into the endless recycling bin of trendiness.
FOUNDERS:
SWINDLE was founded in 2004 by Shepard Fairey "Obey Giant" and Roger Gastman as an experiment in pushing the boundaries that have traditionally confined magazines. Their success in building SWINDLE into a smash hit came as no surprise to anyone familiar with their past work. Both Fairey and Gastman have been widely acclaimed for their influence in art, marketing, and magazine culture.
