Dennis RomeroPhotos by Ted Soqui
L.A. art lovers are banding together on Facebook in an attempt to prevent the removal of another Banksy piece in the city. This after …
… workers for CBS Outdoor apparently ripped down a massive Banksy piece, said to be worth possibly six figures, from a sign at Sunset and Laurel Canyon boulevards near West Hollywood Wednesday. The piece ended crumpled up in a ball.
This Banksy billboard art was taken down Wednesday.; Credit: Ted Soqui
Fans of the British guerrilla artists work don't want that to happen to a precious anti-war work painted on the back of an Urban Outfitters in Westwood Village.
The page states:
“World famous graffiti artist has made Westwood Village his latest canvas. If we don't get the word out, this … art piece will be painted over!!!”
Banksy's work has been spotted around town in the days leading up to the Academy Awards, where his Exit Through the Gift Shop is up for an Oscar statuette.
A scene erupted late Wednesday as a crew showed up to take down the work on the CBS Outdoor billboard and some folks gathered to show their dismay. Employees at a nearby gas station reportedly offered $10,000 for the piece but were turned down.
Banksy swings on Broadway downtown.; Credit: Ted Soqui
Fox 11 News footage depicted the Banksy art in a crumpled up ball in the back of a work truck.
Bad Banksy!; Credit: Ted Soqui
One might think Urban Outfitters, which has marketed itself as a someone artsy, rebellious alternative to the usual mall fare (Gap, Abercrombie & Fitch), would embrace this as a marketing coup and frame the thing under lock and key.
We'll see.
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