Schadenfreude

Above: Banksy mural in London - (ripped from this source)

Schadenfreude could somewhat describe the state we are in with respect to the recent thrashings of the media over the identity of the splasher (who goes around systematically defacing the streets of New York City with unsightly splashes of paint over famous works by graffiti artists ostensibly because some of the more famous of these are starting to see some commercial success and gallery representations). Of course it can best be dismissed by saying that this substitute’s one form of vandalism for another, but a look at blogs like this tell us that some of these works are indeed well thought out - and I actually like some of them and study them on my way to work. Anyways, the whole movement got a further boost after the New York Times published a manifesto produced by the splasher on their website last week and some parts of it does make for interesting reading. Most of it are rants (like most manifesto’s it sizzles out after the initial premise)…
The funny thing might be that all of this might be a very elegant ruse by a new street artist to gain fame and subsequent gallery representation or, on the other hand, this could be the handiwork of a person who could genuinely be at odds with the current ‘red-hot-hedge-fund-based-art-market’ system and all the ills that the messages conveyed by the same.
With statements like “The boredom excreted by museums increasingly resembles the stench of the church” emblazoned as a catch phrase for the splashers actions, it does seem like the person has thought some of the process and actions through. City life is interesting and this is one more twist to the excitement.