14 DAY TRIAL // British guerrilla artist Banksy, whose identity has yet to be established with accuracy, is in Los Angeles, just in time for the Academy Awards 2011, where he’s in the running for Best Documentary with his “Exit Through the Gift Shop.”
For several days, graffiti pieces that look like something Banksy might do have been popping up all over LA, prompting speculation that the elusive artist may even put on some sort of appearance at the Oscars.
Whereas that’s still to be determined, fans of his work should at least find some consolation (in case he doesn’t show up) in knowing that his publicist has confirmed that he is, indeed, in Los Angeles.
“Banksy’s publicist confirms his new work in LA,” Movie City News writes, including photos of his latest two works: “Crayon Boy” in Westwood (Urban Outfitters alley) and “Charlie” in West Hollywood.
And that’s not all that Banksy has been doing since he came in town, TMZ writes: he also did a huge billboard right across the street from Directors Guild of America.
“The artist known as Banksy – whose documentary ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ is nominated for an Academy Award – is taking credit for a Mickey Mouse inspired piece he managed to stealthily paint sometime in the past few nights... without getting caught,” TMZ writes.
“The billboard sits above one of the most famous gas stations on the strip – Norm’s 76 – which has been frequented by huge stars like Travolta, Stallone and Vinnie Jones,” says the same report.
However, the billboard didn’t last up there for long – it was taken down hours after Banksy did it. His other two drawings, though, are still in place.
According to a recent report in The Wrap, Academy president Tom Sherak is “uncomfortable” with the idea that Banksy may show up on stage to accept the Oscar for Best Documentary, granted he wins.
However, the Academy is more concerned that Banksy, being the unpredictable artist that he is, might do more than just show up on stage in disguise: he may actually “sabotage” the Oscars in some way or another.
For more on this, keep an eye on this space.
