Banksy painting was supposed to get fully shredded, duh
When Banksy self-destructs his own painting at auction, you know the sheer publicity will catapult the value of the work to near-stratospheric levels. But what about when Banksy halfway self-destructs his own panting? Because the self-shredding “Girl With Balloon” that made headlines worldwide this month actually malfunctioned during its stunt.
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After the mysterious street artist pulled what’s surely one of the most outlandish and expensive arts pranks of all time, the work was actually renamed and re-certified by Sotheby’s while retaining its hefty million-plus purchase price.
The piece self-destructed at auction via a paper shredder inserted into the frame. But it only tore about halfway through. Now, a new “Director’s Cut” video shows that the illustration was designed to fully shred, as one could reasonably assume:
On the Banksy painting’s initial destruction, many seemed curious about what would happen next. Is it ruined? Is the buyer angry? Then, Sotheby’s released a statement announcing the painting to be revived as a new work.
Per the statement, the shredded piece was said to be getting a makeover in title and certification. The image formerly known as “Girl With Balloon” has been renamed “Love Is In The Bin.” We assume the thing remains half-shredded.
The reported buyer, described as “a female European collector” and “a long-standing client of Sotheby’s,” apparently still purchased the destroyed piece of art for around the same price that she originally bid during the now-famous auction.
According to The Verge, the buyer commented, “When the hammer came down last week and the work was shredded, I was at first shocked, but gradually I began to realize that I would end up with my own piece of art history.”