The renowned street artist Banksy has released a video suggesting that the shredding of "Balloon Girl" didn't go as planned. The canvas wasn't totally cut into strips — and the artwork's value likely went up.
Image: picture-alliance/NurPhoto/A. Pezzali
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Banksy posted a video on Wednesday indicating that the shredding of his "Balloon Girl" or "Girl With Balloon" picture — at the very moment it was auctioned — had gone wrong.
Speculation about the artist's motives has been rife since the painting was partially shredded by a device inside the frame as the hammer went down, astonishing the audience at Sotheby's auction house in London.
The winning bid had been for 1,042,000 pounds ($1.38 million, €1.19 million). The 2006 piece was subsequently renamed "Love is in the Bin" and was certified by Banksy's Pest Control company, which keeps his identity secret.
Soon after the auction, Banksy had posted a video that showed how he secretly built a shredder into the large gilt frame surrounding the picture.
'In rehearsals, it worked every time'
The latest footage published by Banksy shows a rehearsal of the stunt that ended with the artwork being completely sliced up.
"In rehearsals it worked every time..." explained a caption in the new video, titled "Shredding the Girl and Balloon — The Director's Cut."
The Bristol-based artist is known best for ironic outdoor graffiti, often with a political theme.
Banksy : King of urban art
He works in secret and creates street art in urban spaces. He sometimes works on paper on commission. Banksy's art comes with a hefty price tag. Collector Dirk Kronsbein has 45 of his works and is showing them in Munich.
Image: Banksy/Girl with Balloon
Paparazzi Rat
Banksy's stencil piece "Paparazzi Rat" is one of his most iconic works. Starting April 15, 2016, collector Dirk Kronsbein is showing 45 works from his Banksy collection, many of them originals, in his Munich gallery. Kronsbein has said he holds Banksy in high regard due to his social activism.
Image: Banksy/Paparazzi Rat
Toxic Mary
Maria feeds Baby Jesus with a bottle that's adorned with a skull. Bomber jets are flying below them in this macabre picture. Dirk Kronsbein owns the original "Toxic Maria." Originals are hard to come by on the art market and can cost around 625,000 euros ($713,000).
Image: Banksy/Toxic Mary
Monkey Queen
Banksy is not only critical of society, he also has a sense of humor. Here, he's depicted the Queen as a chimpanzee in royal regalia. Banksy donates the proceeds from his works to charity. He was once able to present a six-figure check to a youth sports club after the sale of one painting. Dirk Kronsbein also plans to support sport programs for children with his exhibition.
Image: Bansky/Monkey Queen
Chose your Weapon
Dirk Kronsbein only sells a Banksy work if he owns more than one copy of it - as in the case of "Choose Your Weapon." It's an homage to artist Keith Haring with his dog. Kronsbein also sells Banksy paraphernalia and donates the proceeds to boxing programs for troubled youth.
Image: Banksy/Choose Your Weapon
Heavy Weapon
Banksy often deals with armed violence and armament in his work. In "Heavy Weapon," he shows an elephant with a missile on its back. While graffiti in urban spaces is often illegal, on paper they're collector items. Even copies can cost as much as 100,000 euros.
Image: Banksy/Heavy Weapon
Girl Nola
Not all of Banksy's works are political. He's also created poetic stencil paintings like "Girl Nola," whose umbrella is spilling red and yellow rain. Who is Banksy? He remains an enigma and fiercely guards the secret of his identity. All efforts to find out who he really is have been in vain.
Image: Banksy/Nola
Kate Moss
Owning a Banksy is a status symbol enjoyed by many celebrities. Actors Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, as well as model Kate Moss, all possess works by the mysterious street artist. Moss not only collects Banksy's works, but also became one: She had herself portrayed by him in the Pop Art style of Andy Warhol's iconic Marilyn Monroe painting.
Image: Banksy/Kate Moss
Girl with Balloon
Coldplay singer Chris Martin purchased the original painting "Girl with Balloon" at an auction. Not only celebrities, but also other artists like Damien Hirst collect works by Banksy. Hirst was among the first to recognize the street artist's talent.
Image: Banksy/Girl with Balloon
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There was speculation about how Banksy had carried out the stunt, and whether it was shredded as a protest against the work being auctioned.
