Banksy's artworks, often seen as ephemeral, challenge the notion of preservation in graffiti culture. Their removal or defacement disrupts their intended life cycle and public ownership.
The recent defacement of Banksy's pieces seems less like typical graffiti squabbles and more like opportunistic theft. These acts, while visible and public, reflect a deeper conflict over ownership.
As an anthropologist who studies graffiti, I view the erasure of Banksy's works within a larger narrative where graffiti confronts the tension between public space and private ownership.
Graffiti traditionally decays, but Banksy’s artworks are placed behind protective barriers, subverting the essence of street art that thrives on its transience and impermanence.
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