Dumped On!

Really quick. I know I've already referred to Banksy before, but after studying Manet in class, I have to make one more nod his way. When we looked at Manet's painting, Boating at Argenteuil, and talked about how his paintings often had political motives-- once again, Banksy bombed his rebellious little way back into my mind. The fact that Manet made his water bluer than usual in this piece with the intent of exposing the factory dumping indigo dye into the neighboring bay--this place that is supposed to be a natural source of serenity and purity-- is freakin' awesome! And what's even better, and adds to the sensational irony, is that the very blue bay is in fact a place for the hoity-toity in society to parade around in their idealized playground, that is plagued with pollution that they themselves probably have ties to. Lovely. Guess not much has changed.

Banksy, thank god, has taken Manet's intent and freakin' stripped it bare in his re-creations of these little gems. Don't you just wish sometimes people would outright say what they really mean?? I sure do! Thank you Manet and Banksy for saying so.