Letters Page
from Philip Donegan fredzeppellin@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 1:22 PM
I notice you cant leave comments on your site, but your pretty pathtic
to be honest. And I'm sure the least you could do is credit Charlie Brooker
with your main diatribe.
from open_wound@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 11:48 AM
Fuck off and leave public art alone. I'm sure you have read the reaction
to your defacing of that mural on the internet.Get over yourselves.
from FEARLESS K. fangtasmagoria@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 11:17 AM
subject art
Get a life already.Ah-ha!
from Fish phishsta@yahoo.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 8:54 AM
subject appropriated media...
Supposing ... Subversive genius Banksy is actually rubbish Comments (179)
* Charlie Brooker * o Charlie Brooker o The Guardian, Friday 22 September
2006 o Article history Here's a mystery for you. Renegade urban graffiti
artist Banksy is clearly a guffhead of massive proportions, yet he's
often feted as a genius straddling the bleeding edge of now. Why? Because
his work looks dazzlingly clever to idiots. And apparently that'll do.
Banksy first became famous for his stencilled subversions of pop-culture
images; one showed John Travolta and Samuel L Jackson in a famous pose
from Pulp Fiction, with their guns replaced by bananas. What did it mean?
Something to do with the glamourisation of violence, yeah? Never mind.
It looked cool. Most importantly, it was accompanied by the name "BANKSY" in
huge letters, so everyone knew who'd done it. This, of course, is the
real message behind all of Banksy's work, despite any appearances to
the contrary. Take his political stuff. One featured that Vietnamese
girl who had her clothes napalmed off. Ho-hum, a familiar image, you
think. I'll just be on my way to my 9 to 5 desk job, mindless drone that
I am. Then, with an astonished lurch, you notice sly, subversive genius
Banksy has stencilled Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald either side of
her. Wham! The message hits you like a lead bus: America ... um ... war
... er ... Disney ... and stuff. Wow. In an instant, your worldview changes
forever. Your eyes are opened. Staggering away, mind blown, you flick
v-signs at a Burger King on the way home. Nice one Banksy! You've shown
us the truth, yeah? As if that wasn't irritating enough, Banksy's vague,
pseudo-subversive preaching is often accompanied by a downright embarrassing
hardnut swagger. His website is full of advice to other would-be graffiti
bores, like: "be aware that going on a mission drunk out of your
head will result in some truly spectacular artwork and at least one night
in the cells". Woah, man - the cells! He goes on to explain that "real
villains" think graffiti is pointless - not because he wants you
to agree with them, but because he wants you to know he's mates with
a few tough-guy criminal types. Coz Banksy's an anarchalist what don't
respect no law, innit? One of his most imbecilic daubings depicts a monkey
wearing a sandwich board with "lying to the police is never wrong" written
on it. So presumably Ian Huntley was right then, Banksy? You absolute
thundering backside. Recently, our hero's made headlines by sneaking
a dummy dressed in Guant?amo rags into Disneyland (once again fearlessly
exposing Mickey Mouse's disgusting war criminal past), and defacing several
hundred copies of Paris Hilton's new album (I haven't heard her CD, but
I'm willing to bet it's far superior to Blur's godawful Think Tank, a
useless bumdrizzle of an album, whose artwork was done by Banksy - presumably
he spray-painted it on a brick and hurled it through EMI's window, yeah?).
Right now you can see some of Banksy's life-altering acts of genius for
yourself at his LA exhibition Barely Legal (yeah? Yeah!), including a
live elephant painted to blend in with some gaudy wallpaper. This apparently
represents "the big issues some people choose to ignore" -
ie pretty much anything from global poverty to Aids. But not, presumably,
the fat-arsed, berk-pleasing rubbishness of Banksy. We're all keeping
schtum about that.
from Hugh Pescod info@audio-zoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 5:35 AM
subject Banksy paint
Yo Did you ever think that the banksy piece was'nt just enjoyed buy rich
peeps in their 4x4's . But all kinds of people who have lived an had
to deal with life on stoke croft 4 years. I've lived in an around stokes
croft/St pauls for 8 years + , It aint fuckin clifton Peeps, Its nice
2 c something like that in the ends, I can remember when it was done,
an 2 see where banksy has gone, It's nice 2 think people have a chance
to do something with there live's , Ok so Banksy a rich dude who's turned
into a celeb and is probably a different person to who he was when he
painted that piece. So what I dont give a fuck nor does any1 else who
looks at that painting when they walk or drive past, dont try an fuck
up stokes croft 4 your own selfish reasons, your message's r just as
dumb as you thinks banksy's r, Jus looks like your tryin to jump on the
back of some1 else's ting to get your ownc name out there, Wow Clever..Thks
P.s 1 question what would want stoke's croft to be like without the art?
from Sam Batschelet sbatschelet@mac.com
date Wed, Apr 8, 2009 at 1:41 AM
subject Great Job With The Banksy!!!
You understand that by vandalizing something that is portrayed as art
and idolized by many, and also the foundation for an entire art movement
with sloppy thoughtless red spray paint that you are the biggest hypocrite
cowards I have ever come across. Period
from David Hobbs roscovanderhill@yahoo.com
reply-to roscovanderhill@yahoo.com
to "appropriate.media101@gmail.com"
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 11:51 PM
Reading what your crew attempted to do was the most pathetic thing i
have ever seen. your crew talks like you have destroyed so much work.
wow you got one piece that was cleaned immediately. The best part is
you rag on people who do graffiti saying they have nothing to say.Maybe
you should research your shit before you start talking shit about it.I
think you and youre crew have something against creativity. So how about
you and your boys take off your dresses and get real jobs. ignorant bastards
from skire 181 skire@hotmail.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 10:33 PM
Fuck me, you guys have made mugging yourself off on the net in to an
artform. And No I aint no Banksy lover...You fucking idiots, take a step
back and read the waffle on your site... What the hell are you all about?
from bob shaw gashgusher@hotmail.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 10:03 PM
way to rip charlie brooker. tosspots
from seniledelinquent@blueyonder.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 9:09 PM
subject Congratulations
About time something was done.I hear it is going to cost Bristol tax
payers ?5million to restore it.I can't believe it .Next time use paint
stripper or better still remove them completly -could you believe their
faces when they see these so say works of art are just gone completly.
I would rather in my opinion that you didnt vandalise what is vandalism
but remove it and all other attempts at so called graffiti art.
from Ian Southby Ian.Southby@uwe.ac.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 5:57 PM
subject graf?
at first sight i don't think vandalizing a piece of art like this is
right. Banksy or not. its a good piece - i think you fucked up destroying
it. maybe in the long run you will help establish graffiti as recognized
art - seeing the outrage you have caused amongst some circles. is this
an aim? or completely the opposite? one question. what do you mean by
"We call for the appropriate and legitimate use of public and private
property."
what is appropriate... ? can you send me a link of information? I dont
really understand what you mean on your website... but i want to know
where your going and why? Cheers. Ian.
from Niall Donovan-murphy (g9054095) g9054095@bournemouth.ac.uk
to "appropriate.media101@gmail.com"
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 5:43 PM
way too much time on your hands
from red red@someplacenice.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 4:45 PM
subject painting over works
Hello, I've just read through your site. I agree with your views on Banksy.
I just think you may be making more of a mess by throwing paint at the
pieces. I understand that you need to make a statement and that you don't
have that much time to make one as people love these things, but I would
like to see some of these works just painted over. I'd really like it
to be just a plain wall. Red.
Amias Channer something@amias.org.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 4:13 PM
subject Who appointed you ?
Hello Appropriate Media , Glad to see you are resisting the temptation
to find the point of most focus and try to drag peoples attention from
it to your personal agenda. Its not at all hypocritical and self serving
, oh no no no . So who are you oh great one ? why should your anger replace
banksy's art ? Lets meet up and discuss this , i'm keen to learn more
from someone who is obviously art personified. Toodle-pip Amias
from vincent chanter vchanter@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 3:54 PM
subject Own Goal
I'm not taken to writing unsolicited emails to groups or organisations
that i have only herd of for 30 minutes, but the spectacular own goal
of hurling paint on a banksy spurred me on as it seemed almost as confused,
unimaginative and illiterate as the manifesto written to go along with
it. With this act of iconoclasm you are supporting banksy more that if
you were yourself to go buy one of his twee pieces for your wall. Subversive
action that take the form of smashing the symbol's of what thay want
to critique, often finds it's means used against its self. Weather you
realize this or not you have done baksy and stokes croft a great service
in generating favorable publicity. But now the act is done everyone whats
to know who and what is behind this and, most importantly, what it means.
And this is what most fucks me off about all of this: You do not back
this act up. The manifesto on the web page is just plain Nasty; it's
thoughts embarrassing and the language overcooked. The overwhelming tone
is bitter and ungenerous. This act will be rememberd far beyond your
words and intentions and what you have written will i belive be forgotten.
Oh We call for the appropriate and legitimate use of public and private
property No you don't. there is not a single line in you manifesto to
outline what that might constitute. You talk of polemics but you cant
sustain one beyond a nasty rant. Golly. How disappointing you are. vincent
chanter XX
from matt fryer ghostlocust04@yahoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 3:20 PM
subject god
hah..so after reading your pretentious waffle i want to ask you this...
who or what makes you god? you have the audacity to claim you know whats
best..taking graffiti art off the streets in an imposed clampdown on
social freedom. you claim graffiti writers are slow but DO YOU KNOW ANY?
most of the art work in stokes croft is LEGAL....do you have permission
to destroy and limit peoples creative freedom? pray we never meet. Awkward
from Leon Welchman leonwelchman@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 3:15 PM
Oh my word, grow up! Just saw your silly little site where you show off
about your petty vandalism of that Banksy piece. Jesus, so is that what
you're going to do now? Go around the city defacing (Oh sorry,
"repainting" I believe you termed it) other people's work? I think
you've totally got the wrong end of the stick here and you're taking everything
far too seriously. Graffiti artists are the copywriters for the capitalist
created phenomenon of 'urban' art Graffiti artists are the performing spray-can
monkeys for gentrification Oh come on, you little div, get real. You obviously
have too much time on your hands. Has it occurred to you that perhaps the people
who own the building that the Mild Mild West is on might actually like it,
and now you've fucked it up for them and everyone else? You're aware that the
owners of the Thekla like the Banksy that appeared on their boat aren't you?
I think that overall your little diatribe and mission is extremely poorly thought
out and juvenile. You criticise people for being trite then you immediately
say: "Never in the field of human history has so much paint been used
by so many to say so little." Ha! Did you think you were being clever
by being so trite? God. Give it up, you little loser. I don't think anybody
is fooled that this Appropriate Media balls is anything other than the work
of one frustrated immature Tory-in-waiting with a can of red paint. Do something
truly worthwhile with your copious amuonts of spare time or go fuck yourself.
Leon
from John Self johnselfsasylum@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 2:00 PM
subject Banksy and Brooker
I think Banksy's a tit too, but you might at least have the decency to
acknowledge the stuff you've lifted from Charlie Brooker's 22 Sep 2006
Guardian piece for your website. All the best John
from Pavia, William
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 1:18 PM
Hi there, I'm putting together a piece for tomorrow's Times on your Banksy
campaign. Could you drop me a line, or send me a number I can call you
on? Best wishes, Will Pavia
from George Stothart georgestothart@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 12:48 PM
subject Comment
You obviously intended to provoke debate with your actions. In my opinion
you've overcomplicated a simple concept. Decent graffiti, i.e. something
done with artistic intent rather than tagging, regardless of origin,
brightens up sometimes oppressive urban environments. Your contribution
is the equivalent of a toddler kicking over the sandcastle of another.
He lacks the intelligence and self-awareness to realise he is jealous
of the accomplishment and attention the other receives, so he simply
destroys. A pointless waste of your time
from Dave McGowan daymcgowan@gmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 11:55 AM
subject joke?
i know you have a website. just in an email explain to me please this
organisations political leanings and social views? yes this is about
that banksy thing.
from Simon Lewis-Bristol simon.lewis.03@bbc.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com (
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 11:14 AM
subject Banksy
Hi We interested in following up the MILD MILD WEST story yesterday and
wondered if you'd be happy to be interviewed about your opinions on Banksy
and his effect on the graffiti scene in Bristol? Cheers Simon Lewis
from Bryn B Rees Bryn.B.Rees@aexp.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 11:00 AM
subject alright
ha! you lot only based in brizzle then?? because we have umpteen Banksy
wannabes down here in Brighton ... the whole "New England Quarter" (the
name itself says it all) is covered in graf....graf authorised and condoned
by the large construction conglomerate "reviving" the drab
and dingy area between Brighton station and the "world famous" laines..
dross It'll all be ripped down as soon as the last flat is sold to the
last red faced pink shirted city boy wanna be monkey .... and probably
sold to said pink faced wankbag to decorate his overpriced undersized
flat...thus dwarfing his 42" bravia (not bought on HP)
from Phil Newberry phileeep@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 10:34 AM
subject Gentrification of Stokes Croft
Why you are against the gentrification of Stokes Croft? The road is in
dire need of regeneration, or maybe you like the empty buildings juxtaposed
with drug addicts and drunks. So can you explain to me in detail exactly
why you lobbed paint at the Mild Mild West mural? Your message seems
to be very confused. Yours, Phil Newberry
Naomi Smyth savagepixies@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 10:22 AM
subject Banksy 'action'
Hi there appropriate media, I have followed the discussion of your 'action'
on the Cube mailing list and thought I'd check out your site for myself.
It appears to consist mainly of a large chunk from a Charlie Brooker
article, written for the Guardian some time back. As you do not quote
the writer of the article you clearly found the shredded paper blowing
past your begging pitch on a less fashionable corner of the city and
found it spoke to your proletarian souls. Surely it cannot be that you
read the Guardian? You are so vehemently critical of those middle class
white boys from the leafy suburbs and all that they represent. Hear you
are all MA students carrying out your brave actions on a nice fat grant
though? I hope your confused and contradictory website is a satirical
joke, though if so you maybe need to make it a bit funnier. I'm not especially
attached to the PRSC-fuelled 'cultural' frenzy round Stokes Croft, but
I also doubt any gentrification is going to happen any time soon given
how the developers have over-spunked themselves during the boom time
and are now in full retreat. That said, I'd rather see the derelict buildings
that will result made useful as genuinely affordable housing (maybe even
social housing- not that anybody builds that in the town centre any more)
or community space or failing that, painted. On your site you lump community
artists and graffiti artists in with town planners and developers. Interesting.
Perhaps the main difference is that the latter actually possess the power
and money to designate, buy, sell and build housing, retail, art space,
etc etc. All the artists can do is try to decorate the rotting holes
left by the absence of investment. Perhaps if you've got a more 'appropriate'
and 'legitimate' use in mind for one of the derelict spaces along there
you ought to squat it and make something out of it. Wrecking other people's
pictures doesn't improve the appearance of anything. It does spread publicity
for you though of course. Pot calling the kettle black? You've clearly
learned something from Banksy. from Naomi
from Frank Elbam coteranda@hotmail.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 9:08 AM
subject Banksy defacement experiment
Wow you guys are so edgy. Any other radical stunts on the horizon? How
boring your vandalism is. Frank
from Dolan Jacqueline - Bristol J.Dolan@bepp.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com (Yes, this is you.) Learn more
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 8:51 AM
subject FW: Defaced Banksy 6 April 2009 - Appropriate Media Retaliate
Hi, We?ve received this press release claiming that you were responsible
for defacing the Banksy piece in Stocks Croft. Is anyone from Appropriate
Media available to speak to me today? Thanks, Jacqueline Jacqueline Dolan|
Senior Reporter | Bristol Evening Post e: j.dolan@bepp.co.uk Bristol
Evening Post | Temple Way | Bristol | BS99 7HD P Please consider the
environment before printing
from Urban Fringe Pharmacy info@urbanfringe.org
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 8:27 AM
subject you recent action
spot on! well done!
John Hearn lemonlemonlemonlemonlemon@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 7:40 AM
subject Enquiry
Hi, I checked out your website after seeing the story on the news and
was just contacting you to ask about this part:
"Appropriate Media oppose the over-interpretation of public space by city
planners, council regeneration officers, community artists, graffiti artists
and other such unrelenting fundamentalists."
I'm afraid I don't quite understand it - Could you enlighten me? Kind
regards
jamie whitton whittonsway@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 2:41 AM
You go on about graffiti "Pushing out low income families in their
wake" but that Banksy piece raised the value of that property probably
by double, now the people who owned that property are at a total loss.
To put it bluntly your clearly just failed artist's with a grudge against
this growing graffiti (street art) tolerant society. You go on about
how much money Banksy has made but do you know how much of that has gone
straight to charity, he's held massive auctions for his work where all
the proceeds went to charity. And yes i do expect you to palm this off
as some sort of self indulgent stunt as by reading that bullshit on your
website you clearly just that stupid. You seem to have so much passion
for this 'cause' of yours, but will it catch on?...no. You probably mentioned
your hate for Banksy at some dinner party and there was probably some
agreement towards your claims (this is because you never really made
friends with anyone at all intelligent so you ended hanging around with
like minded stains of society), this in turn lead you to believe that
you may be able to quickly gather a following, but then again like with
most things in your life you were wrong. You all so seem to have some
sort of grudge against the middle class, where the fuck did this come
from? "Get off our streets, go back to your leafy suburbs and get
yourself a proper job" you seem to be blaming all your failure on
the middle class and graffiti artist's. I also love how you say "we" on
your website, your clearly a one man team. All in all your a middle aged
dropout who found a hobby during your mid life crisis but this hobby
turned out to be something pointless that just grabbed peoples attention,
you will not get one message of support anything less than 10 messages
of hate. You say that graffiti artist's are just trying to get attention,
but surely that is what your doing but attacking a very well know piece
of art and by making that website. And if your so grown up why dont you
put this criminal vandals to shame and show your face, or are you scared?
Grow up you waste of space, the majority of society hates you.
from marcus campbell musicboyuk@gmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 12:50 AM
subject I just thought you might want to look at this:
http://www.stokescroft3d.co.uk/
from stephanie paul ninny1987@hotmail.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Dear Vandal, I hate to break it to you but your website consists of nothing
but opinions, you had no right to deface what the people of Bristol didn?t
want removed. Do you seriously look around this city and completely fail
to realise that it is full of educated, forward thinking people? I can?t
believe you had the audacity to think you could act on behalf of thousands
of people, who in my opinion acted when they didn?t remove the piece when
it was originally done. There is a lot of art in Bristol only a small fraction
of which is by Banksy and yet you seem convinced that keeping his art is
what makes us into mindless drones. There is a lot of commissioned art
in Bristol that is considered urban art but you wouldn?t deface it because
someone paid to have it done, since when does self expression have to come
in a pre-ordered package though? When people scribble their pointless tags
on walls with absolutely no artistic value or meaning it makes me angry.
What you did to something that, for me, is an important part of my city,
makes me absolutely furious. Did you know that Bristol is considered one
of the best places to be for up and coming artists? This makes me incredibly
proud. Proud that people come here to express themselves, and I, among
many others, will continue to support this fantastic aspect of my city.
You are disgustingly arrogant to think that your opinion is the only valid
one. Yours sincerely Stephanie Paul
from emilie lauren howell emilielaurenhowell@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Tue, Apr 7, 2009 at 12:16 AM
subject ooopps!
Re: a facebook group re your artical about banksy! What a self righteous
twat basket. "Oooh, look at me I'm so no-conformist and right wing".
your an idiot and your're blatantly gonna get murk'd! 4sure! Do some
research and look outside the box! your not goning to get anywhere! people
will find out who you are!!! think you may of bitten off more that you
can chew and you are entering a sand storm! im not to bothered but just
thought u should know! bristol is a very small place and you have made
people very angry!
from alex slocombe alexslocombe@yahoo.co.uk
to "appropriate.media101@gmail.com"
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 11:59 PM
subject fighting graffiti with graffiti.... ha ha ha .... how inteligent
are you : )
Hello there, Just thought I'd drop you guys a line to marvel at your
publicity stunt... and witty, edgy politicism ......! I cannot quite
believe how SAD and pointless you are : )To get up in the middle of the
night in the vain attempt to be noticed....Did you rub your hands together
with glee as you watched the news and felt chuffed with your masterpiece
of stupid ? ? ? I would have loved to have been a fly on the wall when
you came up with your inane propaganda and shabby attempts to be political...
Covering up locally admired and loved art with vanity... how mature of
you guys!! Banksy is a close friend and knowing him as I do, when he
finds out he will be over the moon to have stirred up some passion for
some of the small minded youth.... yes he loves nothing more but to create
debate and his ego doesn't need rubbing up like yours.. He couldn't care
less if his works are covered over ....and all you have done is proved
how staggeringly stupid you are! ....Pathetic losers...... hahahahahahaha
Thanks ! You made a lot of peoples laugh today ... some of the conversations
were so comical... to make a political point by covering graffiti with
graffiti !!! Love your energy and passion, Shame you fail to identify
where the real problems we face are placed as a species in this pivotal
moment in history. Get a real job !?????? Good advice ! Try taking some
Oh yes you probably can't get a real job seeing as you are so thick...Witless
Morons Laters haters Alex
from harry mac harrymacp1@yahoo.co.uk
reply-to harrymacp1@yahoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 11:29 PM
subject banksy
So you're the bunch who defaced banksy's picture - you bunch of self-appointed
talentless, parasitic pricks.
from James Trezona jtrezona@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:44 PM
subject Banksy
i admit i'm a little confused. you claim to stand against grafitti, and
yet by defacing grafitti with unconvincing splashes of paint you I suspect
you raise the esteem of said 'vandals' by making the public realise that
there are far less talented individuals out there. I guess the choice
of colour was deliberate, but ultimately it looks like a fairly weak
effort, poorly conceived, poorly executed by a person unable/unwilling
to attempt to outdo something they are criticising, or indeed eradicate
it at all. A claimed objective is to raise the question "is this
stuff guff?" - but if you do a cursary search on Banksy you'll see
people arguing both sides. It's nothing new to claim he's a spoilt middleclass
egoist. Of course he is. Read your history - most social comment comes
from that angst-ridden middle section of society that has the 'leisure'
time to waste on self-indulgent expressions of solidarity or empathy
with the underclasses they claim to support, but only while it interests
them enough to take the tour. But to (badly) throw paint on an painting
you don't like? It's up there with walking into a library and burning
a book you find offensive. ah well, you got noticed. well done. Lucky
you're not an egoist that feels the need to inflict your opinions on
us all like Banksy does. Although he does have the slight excuse that
he's trying to entertain. Agree or disagree whether he hits the mark,
it still beats a furtive weak splash of paint for intelligent comment.
from Ewan Hale hootenholler@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:38 PM
subject shanksy
That was bad. I feel sad. You are mad.
from James Heathcock jamesheathcock@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:23 PM
hi guys just thought id drop you a line to let you know you're a right
bunch of cunts possibly the lamest activist group ever - with all the
fucked up issues in the modern world - do u really feel this one is ranking
as one of the most important
"we will not seek permission, we will retaliate" - oooh check out
the badboy activists here - we got red paint and everything mate! so once again
BUNCH OF CUNTS
Callum is my name callumtheperson@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:18 PM
subject Bravo!
I really agree with what you did. It's about time someone stood against
this menace! I completely agree with you; This isn't art! This is a blight
on our urban landscape. Banksy's artwork is completely overrated and
I wish I was holding that bucket of paint myself as that red liquid hope
covered that horrendous image. Not really, you're fucking cunts. You
do realise you've took a 'stand' against vandalism by vandalising one
of this country's most prized artworks, right? Tell you what mate, get
a biro and go draw a moustache on mona lisa. That'll show those damn
french. What exactly were you trying to prove? That you're sad 40 year
old virgin pricks with nothing better to do than moan about 'how people
had respect in my day' and how 'nobody drew on walls when I was a kid'?
Listen, if you're trying to take a stand then I can respect that... But
at least you could have done it in such a way that both your brain cells
came into the equation. You could have drawn your own peice of artwork
over it. You could have stuck lots of peices of a4 paper saying 'THIS
ISNT ART' over it. You could have just had a shit and selotaped it on.
But throwing a bucket of paint over it? I'm not much of a Banksy fan
but it looks even fucking worse now! Keep up the SHIT work, A graffiti
artist/menace to society/your sworn enemy
from menekse ozkutan menekse@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 10:15 PM
subject Banksy
Dear Appropriate Media, I am writing in regard to your actions on Stokes
Croft this morning, where by you defaced the Banksy artwork. I understand
you probably have received quite a lot of emails regarding this subject,
but I wondered if you might spare a moment to read and return mine. Reading
from your website I am still a little confused by your actions and wondered
if you could elaborate on why you choice that particular graffiti, if
your problem is with graffiti in general I would have thought you would
have been able to find far more offensive street artwork than the 'Mild,
Mild, West' work? I always been rather fond of that piece and found it
brighten up and brought attention a rather neglected part of town. Without
Banksy's artwork there, I think that space would have been covered up
with a billboard years ago, something I believe to be quite ugly and
instead we have had a lovely piece of artwork to look at and use as a
landmark, something I think you have managed to threaten. I'm open to
hearing your thoughts and hope that you will have time to share them
with me, Yours faithfully, Menekse
from Obaro E digga29@yahoo.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 9:32 PM
If you're against the gentrification of stokes croft, why not just put
a brick through zazu's kitchen or Kuvuka?? Because that'll be pathetic...
just like your little red paint stunt. Your argument spanning from anti-gentrification
to anti-graffiti art appears muddled, stupid, confused and is nothing
short of brain dead. I have similar criticisms of banksy but either way,
his work around bristol brings smiles to hundreds of thousands. Your
act reaks of non-specific anger and dictatorship stemming from your inability
to do well in school, so now, the frustration you feel cannot be put
into words or productive positive actions and you've become a group of
angry anti-social gimps. And to top it off, you've led your 'fall-short'
lives incapable of shaking the feeling that you're smarter than everyone
else but have never been able to prove it. And now you've poured red
paint over a much loved stokes croft muriel! Go pat yourselves on the
back.
from Oli Wells oli@coexistuk.org
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 9:11 PM
subject Stokes Croft
Dear Appropriate Media, I am one of the directors of Coexist Community
Interest Company on Stokes Croft. It is our intention to work with the
community of Stokes Croft AS PART of the community of Stokes Croft to
see it fulfill its potential as a thriving cultural quarter and a hub
for creativity. Coexist and Stokes Croft are using creativity as a catalyst
for innovation and the sustainable evolution of the area, and by doing
so be a beacon for positive change in a time when most communities desperately
need such beacons. It will be through innovation and collaboration that
we will triumph, we need to learn to live together, with ourselves, with
each other and with our environment, this is why we are called Coexist
and this is why I invite you to join us. I would love to talk to you
in order to see it from your side and I am sure that together we are
stronger and we can combine to be a force for positive change in Stokes
Croft and further afield. Kind regards, Oli Wells Director Coexist CIC
from stewart redwood redfashion70@yahoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 8:04 PM
subject graffiti
You lot are a bunch of wankers, and if i ever caught you defacing any
graffiti, you're get a good fucking kick in.
from Pete Forsaken peteforsaken@hotmail.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 7:58 PM
subject why mess up the banksy piece?
I'm not some art critic, tagger, artist or whatever. I like graff, I
follow the artists I like in Bristol. I have no special place reserved
from Banksy, on the whole I find his pieces funny, sometimes a bit predictable.
But there's no doubt the man has done some classic classic walls. And
Mild mild west was definitely one of them. I read your website after
I heard you guys had messed up that piece and I still don't get it. the
website has some of the most self important and misguided anti establishment
bs that would make Banksy blush red, so why fuck up his work? I mean
I get the whole promo thing, you'll probably get media coverage and shit
for it, big man on campus for a bit etc. But on the whole you just went
and fucked up what the majority of locals thought as a landmark, a proper
respected piece, reagrdless of some of the pap banksy has gone on to
do. Sure sure, you got as much right to do it as Banksy did in the first
place, but he actually put something good down something memorable, your
crowning achievement is to have thrown red paint around. I just don't
understand why? pete.
from Clayton Horvat claytonhorvat_471@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 7:30 PM
subject Paint Spilling Dumper
Splattering red paint on walls everywhere is better than having something
someone took time and effort to work on? I'm not going to call you slow
but aren't you some sort of absolute failure in your own definition?
from Tommy Mansell wanderingbastard@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 7:23 PM
Just read your article. I still don't get it. Apart from that graffitti
pisses you off, it seems like you have an agenda but its not very clear
what that is. Would you like to see clean, well ordered streets? Is it
anarchist? Communist? Surrealist? Is there somewhere else I can go to
study your group please? Thankyou Tom
from Katy Bauer bauerkaty@gmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 7:23 PM
subject The Toff interview
INTRO: THE STOKES CROFT TOFF (& SON) IS A NEW NEWSPAPER RUN BY MYSELF
AND MY SON (WHO SAYS HE'S A WOMAN BUT I DON'T BELIEVE HIM). WE ARE WRITING
TO YOU IN THE HOPE THAT YOU WILL GRANT US AN INTERVIEW OR AT LEAST ANSWER
OUR QUESTIONS HERE. Dear Appropriate It was interest that I just read
your website. However, as it only took me three seconds I am left unclear
about your policy. Would you mind answering a few questions so that our
paper can print the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth
- which is not only our policy but our motto! Q1: Are you left wing or
right wing - as you have chosen to target Banksy instead of Bankers,
this seems unclear. Q2: It is my understanding that 'appropriate use
of public and private spaces' is determined by what is lawful, is this
what you mean? Q3: What is your vision for an area like Stokes Croft?
Q4: Are you a boy or a girl or is there more than one of you? I am attaching
a copy of our first issue so that you know we are appropriate. Unfortunately
I don't know how to work a computer very well so I believe the formatting
is problematic when the attachment is opened. Apologies for this. We
would like to meet with you and get the full story, but if you are shy
then we understand. Regards Toff
from Max Roberts maxwell.roberts78@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 7:18 PM
subject Banksy
Why did you fuck the Banksy picture in Bristol? you hippy fucks!...........
: ( you've annoyed loads of people in Bristol and he wasn't a capitalist
when he made that...WANKERS >
from Anthony Garratt anthonygarratt@hotmail.com
to banksy haters
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 7:07 PM
just looked further into your website. I can't BELIEVE you have put images
up you self-celebrating bunch of hypocritical fuckers!
from Anthony Garratt anthonygarratt@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 7:04 PM
Dear Appropriate, I agree that Banksy has become clich? and hypocritical
but...
"done by the slow and the self obsessed, all thinking that they have something
BIG to say,"
You are the biggest hypocrits i have come across, even worse than politicians.
I don't support jealousy. Or people who use wordsmithing to make a very
simple point. I don't know anything about you - you might be my hero;
the fact is that from your article: I know exactly what you are wearing,
i know what you talk about, i know what you drink, that is how stereotypes
work. Best Ant
from Adam Miladowski a_miladowski@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Looking at your website and reading you rant about banksy and graffiti
in general, surely please correct me if i am wrong but you are as bad
as them by using graffiti to "take matters into your own hands"
as you keep stating. I find it all very confusing to be honest and you
really should be doing someting far more productive with your time than
ruining modern landmaks in bristol!
from John Clancy clancy2040ad@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 6:53 PM
I am not sure I understand your motives fully but it appears you are
retaliating against graffiti / vandalism by graffiting and vandalising.
"The thing we hate most about graffiti is that its done by the slow and
the self obsessed, all thinking that they have something BIG to say, hectoring
the passerby with their trite statements on world politics."
That descibes your web site and publicity stunt perfectly. Appart from
that I think you have a point. From leafy suburbia.
from Hill ... sonicalliance@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 6:51 PM
subject Banksy defacement...
You are CUNTS. Whatever your view on anything - deliberately defacing
a work of art like that makes you a CUNT. I don't give a fuck about your
politics - you're CUNTS. Even if it's a picture of Moira Hindley, it
doesn't deserve being defaced. You are just doing all of the things you
accuse Banksy of - except in a more lazy, self righteous way. Why not
tackle the real graffitti - ie corporate advertising from faceless fuckwit
companies that aren't trying to provoke thought (like Banksy)? You are
like the 'taggers' or vandals who daub paint in a mindless, idiotic way,
not the thought provoking artists like Banksy. I am anti-capitalist,
I am an ('enlightened') anarchist, I probably agree with you guys on
many, many levels, but don't fuck with individuals - fuck the machine.
You fucking IDIOTS! Your message is lost in the fatuous, self congratulatory
prickness of your medium. I can only see you as misguided... Hope you
get paint in your eye. Hill... Observe/Analyse/React See/Think/Do Complain/Strategise/Take
Action
from camilla rabey camrabey@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 6:23 PM
subject Banksy retaliation?
I think that you have nothing better to do. I prefer to look at a Banksy
rather than a Banksy covered in red paint. If you live in that area of
Bristol then do you really think you are helping people build a better
image of themselves and the streets we live on by defacing a perfectly
good picture. Im not saying I love it but I know I hate what you have
done. I think you have done a really silly thing and am dissappointed
that you think you are actually making a good point by ruining the area
I live in. I would like you to, "get of our streets and go back
to the sad hole that you live in". I see nothing "appropriate" about
what you have done at all. Thanks. With Sympathy, Camilla
from Mark Rowland haybarner@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 6:22 PM
subject Banksy defacing
I have read your website and am at a loss to what you are trying to achieve.
Is it jealousy? I am not sure. I can only assume you are maybe Banksy
himself. Please enlighten me. haybarner
from Matthew Weir weir_matthew@yahoo.com.au
to "appropriate.media101@gmail.com"
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 6:11 PM
subject Da Street
You guys are hilarious. You're either a) too young to remember Class
War or b) old enough to be painfully aware what a joke it became so thought
you better rename yourselves! Do you really think spraying paint over
something people like is posing a question? No more than a pissed rejectee
from The Pub coming back and dawbing 'Wankers' on the wall outside. Who
cares if someones work now sells for thousands to Hollywood types, it
has so little to do with people being forced out of their homes its beyond
tenuous. Anyways, keep up the good work, people can always use a laugh
in a financial crisis and in the meantime i'd suggest getting back to
your 9-5, that Deluxe Crass boxset wont buy itself xox
from Ben Mills Benmills@blueyonder.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 5:56 PM
subject what do you do?
Show us what you do then, make something, excite us all, subvert me,
show me the way, or do you just throw red paint about?
from crimescene crimescene@blueyonder.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 5:29 PM
subject banksy
Nice one. So now I have to look at all the shitty bill boards AND a trashed
piece of artwork. I couldn`t care less how much it was worth and who
did it. It looked nice. Its been there about 7 years and in that time
the homeless, alcoholics and junkies haven`t started driving Limo`s or
buying million pound flats on the waterfront. The pigeons still eat last
nights sick and the streets are fucking filthy. Until you provide the
same area with something as positive / nice to look at you might want
to rethink your rather dubious strategy. Its not like anyone was triyng
to sell the banksy artwork and I don`t see you defacing all the other
pieces round the area
from Robert Fisher fishermarketing@yahoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:55 PM
subject Banksy
I can't begin to imagine why you would want to deface the Banksy image
in Stokes Croft, it was there long before he was making any money. It
was much appreciated by the diverse range of residence in the area and
unlike your infantile additions to it actually had an element of humour
to it. I suspect the only reason you ruined a much loved icon of Bristol
is because you have a small penis and no one takes you very seriously.
You have just been sent a personal message by BANK$Y on HIJACK.
IMPORTANT: Remember, this is just a notification. Please do not reply
to this email.
The message they sent you was:
YOU FUCKING BUNCH OF PRICKS, WE ALL KNOW WHO YOU ARE, WE CAN SMELL YOUR
FAG ASSES SEEPING THE WORDS OF YOUR COLLECTIVE THOUGHT.
from alex piercy alex_epidemic@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:45 PM
subject wtf
what the f*ck is your problem? you had no right to deface banksys work
like you did. your just as bad as the 'graffiti artists' you hate so
much. graffiti is an incredible source of expression for creative people
with an opinion on world affairs. i honestly cant see what the point
you are trying to make is? if you dont like graffiti, clean it off the
wall, rather than becoming a 'graffiti artist' yourself and 'vandallising'
a local attraction.
from Stuart Slade stuart@ivanovfilms.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 5:41 PM
subject Capitalist copywriters: a question
I'm not precisely sure what you mean by "Over-interpretation of
public space". I've got nothing in the slightest against you throwing
the odd pot of red paint around. The world has become a slightly sadder
place, however, when you have to produce a branded website with hi-res
imagery whenever you feel like graffiting graffiti. To me this seems
like 'over-interpretation' taken to its most laughable degree. Next time
you indulge yourself in the childish pleasure of hurling paint around
I do very much hope that you'll avoid writing another shudderingly earnest
manifesto, knocking up another logotype, or sending out another glib
press release. Because this is exactly what Banksy does himself. Here's
some simple maths: Your polemic + Banksy's Polemic = far too much polemic
on a wall. I'm not myself sure that there's a problem with street art,
graffiti, or 'unrelenting fundamentalists', as you call it. If there
is, however, then you are most certainly adding to it. Nice aim at the
bear, though. Stuart Slade
from Dave Bowler one2345678@ymail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:40 PM
subject Manifesto Error
Just a quick question, Do you think you need to replace your use of the
term 'GRAFFITI ARTIST' with STREET ARTIST' or just 'ARTFAG', you may
or may not be aware that alot of actual graffiti writers feel the same
way as you about these performing monkeys or in other words people who
are SELLING OUT. This is something that has been going on for sometime
with Banksy already, http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3306/3410260084_b376559736.jpg?v=0
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3544/3385939623_d8686d5529.jpg?v=0 http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3610/3316439883_55163e881d.jpg
and these are only the most recent examples i could find. I would also
have to stress the point that 'GRAFFITI ARTISTS' the people you have
been incorrectly making assumptions about have been at the forefront
of this for quite some time and feel much the same as your manifesto.
Also this is not exclusive to the UK, this is something that happens
all over, like the pixadores in brazil. I look forward to hearing from
you with regard to this matter. Yours Sincerely D
from daniel murphy danielfinbar@yahoo.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:38 PM
subject Wow!
Cutting edge stuff you're doing there lads. Especially like the bit where
you lift your 'manifesto' wholesale from a 3 year old Charlie Brooker
article. So you object to something strongly, yet are incapable of communicating
that objection in your own words (unless of course you count Mr Brooker
amongst your number, though I highly doubt that). Keep up the 'good'
work!
from mark bothwick markbothwick@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:18 PM
subject Banksy
Hi, Does your friend who splattered paint over the Banksy mural know
anything about Bristol when the mural was done or the circumstances behind
it? Agreed, graffiti has spread like a fungus in recent months or the
last year or so but why attack something that genuinely means something
to many Bristolians and has done so for around 10 years or so, however
much you disagree with that meaning? Stokes Croft was a pretty derelict
street when that painting was done, a far cry from what it is now. At
least some people are making an effort to brighten it up or have tried
to bring attention to the run-down area that it once was. Believe me,
if you don't know, it's a much better and safer area than it used to
be. Throwing paint around like a spoilt child because a small minority
of individuals disagree with how they perceive 'urban art' is maybe worse
than arguably artistic vandalism on a once derelict building. What would
you rather have? The whole area as slick yuppie flats (which is what
the council and developers want) or the run-down, drug and poverty riddled
area with stabbings, muggings, prostitution and general misery that was
much more prevalent than it currently is? Best Mark
from Mark Good ed_moliano@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:17 PM
subject banksey
To Whom it may concern First and foremost I am by means a no champion
of the work or ethos of Banksy or any of his cohorts or copyists? (of
which there are a multitude) My correspondence is more overtly concerned
with the underdeveloped, hypocritical and sophomoric nature of your actions.
The language used in your writing and the inherent lack of a focused
purpose reeks primarily of the style over substance raisin d'etre which
you claim to detest so strongly when considering the street art of stokes
croft. Your act is comparable to a Mozart fan smashing up a Jonas brother?s
album with a lump hammer under the notion that it is aural toss that
should be atomised and blown in the eyes of the unwittingly stupid public
who purchased it. The point is the Jonas Brothers are toss! And Banksy?s
work isn?t the most sophisticated or insightful of social commentaries
? most reasonable people recognise this and can rationalise them for
their respective places in the cultural climate. Your principal mistake
is your pathological choice of target. It reveals more about your thinly
explored notions or art, society, communality and more overly your concept
of what?s worth fighting for. Banksy may frequently be guilty of saying
little to nothing with his street scrawling, yet somehow you have miraculously
managed to trump him with a move of even greater nullity: If you genuinely
feel strongly about the lack of meaningful content in the world, contribute
something that communicates this effectively and opens a wider opportunity
for dialogue: As apposed to choking the words of another, however trite
their platitudes may be. Finally, the last grand gesture in this Machiavellian
masterstroke is your decision to execute this anonymously ? a further
hypocritical facet of your Heat magazine style critique of the modern
world. At least Banksy and his ilk have the testicular fortitude to lend
a sobriquet to their opining: Your red slash could have been perpetrated
by a menstrual, condor flying over head. Your rebuttal is greatly anticipated.
Kind Regards Mark Good ? My Name Anonymity is for chumps.
from Rachel White rachelwhite1977@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:18 PM
subject banksy question
"We call for the appropriate and legitimate use of public and private
property" hi, i don't understand how vandalising a mural with red
paint acheives the above aim. Also, if i decide that i want a grafitti
artist to paint on, for instance, my garage door - would you feel it
correct to come and damage my private property by splashing a can of
paint on it? i'm not being arsey, i'm trying to ask a genuine question
because your motives and actions are not desperately clear. Your statements
on your website appear to be convoluted and paranoid (especially about
the collusion of property developers with graff artists!) would it not
be more effective to target tagging and taggers and go around with paint
and paint rollers and cleanly paint over the work? that way you will
be doing everyone a favour and quite possibly attract positive rather
than negative attention. and is not graffiti not at all similar to murals
on Austrian houses? just modern? maybe at the time houses in Austria
were painted, certain members of the community hated them -but i imagine
they didn't daub them with paint http://www.musicholiday.com/images/Excursions%20-%20Oberammergau%20-%20house%20mural%20-%20Pict0207R.jpg
http://image55.webshots.com/155/9/76/19/512897619HfcoIa_fs.jpg
from chris@arunproductions.co.uk
reply-to chris@arunproductions.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 4:08 PM
subject actually...
actually it's occurred to me, if you are Banksy's team, it's a great
way to get the bristol council (who are so slow in keeping up with what's
good in culture) to pay for restoration and protection of the piece.
well done.
from chris@arunproductions.co.uk
reply-to chris@arunproductions.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 3:56 PM
subject re: painting over the Banksy
Hi, Why paint over the pic? Your actions seem to contradict your message
and make everyone disagree with your purpose. It was a classic pic. Now
only the opposite will happen to what you want. Little bit short sighted.
Your website, ironically, sounds like a middle-class white kid from the
suburbs, with it's superficial art review - or at least someone who desperately
wants to be. Do you not think what you've written hasn't occurred to
a lot people? Stand up and be seen. Your actions don't deserve a pseudonym.
Cheers, Chris.
from Ultimate Jones bigredrod@gmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 3:56 PM
subject Thanks
Thanks for adding to the ugliness in Stoke's Croft. The place isn't enough
of a shit-hole as it is. Good work. Twats.
from Mark Watson markdwatson@blueyonder.co.uk
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 3:55 PM
subject STOP
You fools. Dont mess up what people love. You have piseed of many many
people. And you are cowardly hiding behind a daft name.
from bob hunter topdasher@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 3:44 PM
subject ?
Who are you to take it on yourselves to dictate what is and is not right?If
all you can resort to is defacement then you are no better than vandals..........What
gives you the right....you have no right....and build a decent web site
while you`re at it!
from Uma ttt uma456t@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Whoever you are, you are losers, and your cause has not been furthered.
from andy bristolfestival andys.bf@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 3:08 PM
subject Do you think people will hail you as the saviour of the grey
walls?
Dear Appropriate Media, Whilst I appreciate some of the sentiments of
Charlie Brooker's article about urban art and Banksy, I find it appalling
that you would use it as your own and as justification to ruin one of
the artist's oldest and most famous pieces. It can be debated that grafiti
is vandalism and I especially agree when it comes to tagging, but your
defacing of this piece is unquestionable vandalism and nothing more.
Whatever you think about Banksy's work, this piece in particular is a
land mark for Bristol and something that a lot of people respect and
treasure. What you have done is mindless and has done nothing but add
to the mess in Stokes Croft that some people are trying to tidy up. We
do not want the grey walls that the council seem to like inflicting upon
us. Even less do we want some renegade vigilantes vandalising good art
in the name of protecting the city from gentrification. You know very
well that it's not Banksy or any other graf' artist that is responsible
for the gentrification of Stokes Croft. I guess Banksy's work is an easier
target for your idiotic behaviour then the development companies who
are really responsible. If your interests really are for the city of
Bristol, please find some more constructive ways to improve the situation.
All you have done here is make people angry and upset. From and outsider's
point of view, when they go past that piece by Banksy, all they will
think is that some idiot has vandalised a piece of art. They may know
nothing about Banksy, they will certainly know nothing about Appropriate
Media and so you have achieved absolutely nothing. Regards, Andy P.S.
At least reference Charlie Brooker proplerly for his article or you are
guilty of plagiarism as well as vandalism.
from Luke Felix Petty felix@offmodern.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 2:26 PM
subject Hi
Hi, I?m running an art collective called Off Modern, We publish a magazine,
put on exhibitions, club nights, that kinda thing. Was wondering if we
could do a feature on you, for our website at the moment, but also for
the magazine we put out, or alternatively if you could do something for
us, some writing maybe, really like this anti-banksy stuff and we were
even planning on doing it ourselves, would love to chat. Felix. www.offmodern.com/news
www.myspace.com/offmodern
from nik mol wdanger13@live.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 2:59 PM
haha what a sad bunch of middle class wankers you are
from Martin Jones martin.jones@originalbristol.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 2:38 PM
subject banksy mural
Hi. We're covering the story of the Banksy mural on Stokes Croft. If
someone from your group would like to speak to us, even anonymously,
we'd be happy to interview you. Get in touch on any of the contact numbers
below. Hope to hear from you... Martin Jones Broadcast Journalist Original
Bristol fm Ltd County Gates Ashton Road Bristol BS3 2JH Registered in
England & Wales no. 5799853. Registered office address: 5th Floor,
Tennyson House, 159-165 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PA
from David Johnston real_amused@yahoo.com
reply-to real_amused@yahoo.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 2:31 PM
subject Why?
Your act of vandalism in stokes croft was moronic. Your views are weak.
You've definitely got yourself a reaction, but you wont find any supporters
daubing red splatters for effect. Why so angry?
from Bristol Newsfreelancer Bristol.Newsfreelancer@heart.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 2:24 PM
subject Radio interview
Hi, I am a reporter with Heart (formerly GWR). I have been reading you
website and would be interested in an interview with someone from your
organisation. Regards, Ben Moss www.heart.co.uk The information in this
email and any of its attachments is intended solely for the addressees
and is confidential. If you receive this message in error, please immediately
notify the sender, destroy any copies and delete it from your computer
system. The contents may contain information which is confidential and
may also be privileged. Any part of this email may not be used, disseminated,
forwarded, printed or copied without authorisation. Liability cannot
be accepted for any statements, views or opinions made which are clearly
the sender's own and not expressly made on behalf of any of the companies
below. Global Radio UK Ltd (6251684), Global Radio Holdings Ltd. (4077052)
Registered Office, 13 Bramley Road, London. W10 6SP This is Global Ltd
(6288359) / Global Talent Group Ltd (3601691) / Global Talent Publishing
Ltd (3509421) / Global Talent Management Ltd (4631297) / Global Talent
Records Ltd (3598411) / Global Talent Music Ltd (5522116) / Global Talent
TV Ltd (4506139) Registered Office, 73 Wimpole St, London. W1G 8AZ
from Rob French FrenchR@frenchconnection.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 2:29 PM
You?re writers right? Rob French Menswear
from Rob Desbois rob.desbois@gmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 2:07 PM
subject Your message
Appropriate Media people, Can't say I agree with your message, and feel
you've probably made a large number of enemies in your efforts to get
it out there. Whilst you may not like the work of graffiti artists and
think works such as Banksy's are nonsensical and self-indulgent, the
same can be said for a lot of art. Some people like particular pieces,
some people think they're shite. Art is inherently subjective. As for
the trend of 'urban art', it has become a bit of a fad for areas undergoing
'revival' at the moment - but I can't say I dislike it. What's better,
a red brick wall stained black by the traffic, or something a bit more
colourful to brighten the place up? As for your 'modifications' to the
Banksy piece on Stoke's Croft, what a waste. Do you really look at that
and think you've improved it? Surely not. It's the same as it was before,
only now it has childish scrawl over the top of it. Leafy suburbs? Proper
job? I have no idea whether Banksy has these things or not. I have no
idea whether you do or not. Frankly I don't care. If you don't like street
art then fine, find something different, but don't look at urban art,
scribble over it and pretend you're doing something for society. Rob
Desbois Eml: rob.desbois@gmail.com
"I disapprove of what you say, but I?ll defend to the death your right
to say it", Voltaire
from CHEAT HUNTER cheathunter@hotmail.co
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:58 PM
subject Mild Mild West
You fucking cunts.
from gareth walters gareth.walters@hotmail.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:50 PM
subject idiots
please can explain your enlightened statements to me? it seems that spraying
red paint on a popular artwork was as intelligent as the wall it was
painted on. i advise you to keep hiding behind your anonimity,so the
world doesn't see what stupid talentless chancers you are.wankers.
from Jim Farrand jim.farrand@gmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:45 PM
subject Thanks
Hi Appropriate Media, Thanks a lot. I live within 30 seconds of the "Mild
Mild West" art on Stokes Croft that you guys wrecked this morning.
You've made my world an uglier and sadder place. Whilst I agree with
some of your statements about Banksy, you've chosen to express your opinion
about him by damaging the area that I live in. You've punished me, not
him, not the property developers, not the rich middle classes but me.
I'm not gonna claim that Banksy was gonna inspire revolution or save
the planet, but chucking a can of red paint over a pretty picture is
a thousand times less likely to do so.
"Never in the field of human history has so much paint been used by so
many to say so little."
Is this a statement of what you hate, or what you are? Please... there's
an awful lot of things wrong with the world. Heck, there's an awful lot
wrong with Bristol... find something more useful that needs fixing, and
fix it in a less childishly destructive way. Jim Sad in Stokes Croft
from angry bristolian angrybristolian@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:12 PM
subject you knob head
what the fuck makes you any different, splashing a bit of red paint on
the wall, trying to make a 'statement' except you got no skills so you
try and start a 'retaliation' of some kind by de-facing a painting which
has been in existance since before i was born.
"Come on, you only care about it cos makes you feel edgy and urban to
tour round the inner city in your 4x4, taking in the tired coffee table subversion
that graffiti has become." who the fuck are you actually talking to? the
graffiti artist, or people who simply 'dared' to look at this painting. for
the record i don't own a 4x4.
"poor little middle class white boys with the need to deface private property?" If
you must know this Mild Wild West piece was actually done with the house owners
permission. And I would't go as far as 'poor' seeing how well Banksy has done
in recent years. This is obviously just some kind of justification for you
to put your mind at ease about having a shit life/job.
"The thing we hate most about graffiti is that its done by the slow and
the self obsessed, all thinking that they have something BIG to say, hectoring
the passerby with their trite statements on world politics."
So what the fuck have YOU got to say? apart from an obvious dis-like
for graffiti, this whole website says fuck all. Apart from a few shit
jokes. And who the fuck is 'we' well come on! lets have your names you
pussys! Have you ever tried doing something positive with your energy
or is this what you do best? If so, than fuck off back to your miserable
critical existance and stop haranging Bristol's people!! Its not even
the red paint that pisses me off it is this self righteous shite that
is all over your page, you act as if you are the 'all-knowing' Bristolian
who knows what everyone thinks, well FUCK OFF your wrong.
from Lex Cousins alexiscousins@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 1:08 PM
subject Appalled by the destruction of something that brings pleasure
to people every day
you are a pathetic idiot,
from jane sheppard janeann555@yahoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 12:48 PM
fkn inbreeds
from ruby ceridwen harrison shl60531@port.ac.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 12:45 PM
subject Repainting Banksy
When I saw the images you are so clearly proud of, and read the blurb
around it, I can honestly say I was appalled. Do you really think splashing
paint over something that has become a part of Bristol, whether you like
it or not, will achieve anything? Surely you have vandalised and disfigured
our city even more. Whatever your feelings on graffiti, particularly
Banksys, I don?t believe that a random organisation of people have the
right to take the matter into their own hands in such a juvenile and
pathetic way. When did fighting fire with fire become a legitimate and
valid way to voice your opinion? What is the purpose of your anger, and
how on earth can you justify throwing paint over a landmark part of Bristol
as a result of it. While I agree that some of the graffiti in Bristol
is unattractive, or done by untalented artists, the mild mild west mural
does not fall into this category, is in keeping with the area it is in,
and residents of Stokes Croft and the surrounding area are proud of it.
How could such a piece of graffiti offend your sensibilities and clearly
strong views to the point where you felt this was acceptable? Vandalism
should never be acceptable; your obvious pride for your actions, and
your cleverly worded, bigoted justifications for it is an embarrassment.
I didn?t know there were people in Bristol who were so selfish and who
had such closed minds. I always thought the values of our city?s population
were on tolerance and acceptance. There are plenty of other, more effective
ways to discuss your perspectives and push to bring about changes if
that is what you feel needs to be done. However I am sure most Bristolians,
who are proud of their city and its unique qualities, will never support
you.
from jon g4jon@hotmail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 12:45 PM
So APPROPRIATE MEDIA say "Get off our streets, go back to your leafy
suburbs and get yourself a proper job."
Making money is a proper job! (more than you I guess) Well I say FUCK
YOU APPROPRIATE MEDIA! Lets just have plain old grey concrete everywhere
eh...Is that what you want. FREEDOM of EXPESSION & FREEDOM of THOUGHT
you wish to SUPPRESS. You don't like it! NOT IN MY BACK YARD! NIMBY NIMBY
GET A LIFE! have a nice day! :-)
from Ian Kozlowski - Decor Bristol Limited ian@decor-bristol.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 12:31 PM
subject banksy
Wow, you guys are my heroes. Get the middle class out of Stokes Croft
and back to the leafy suburbs.
from Barry C goa_lawnmower@yahoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 12:28 PM
subject A quiet word
Jealousy is the tribute mediocrity pays to genius. You are sad little
people.
from Paul House paul.house@hotmail.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 12:12 PM
subject You idiots
I can't stand those smug, ignorant and brainless middle-class types that
have Banksy prints in their homes. I am incensed by numerous aspects
of modern culture, society and business, too much to mention here. Despite
all this your mindless, arrogant and self-righteous stance is childish.
The problem is that it seems to be mainly the personal spleen of an angry,
brattish individual who very, very arrogantly thinks that everyone else
should think the same as them and that they can do whatever they want
for the cause. Fucking up the Banksy that has been in Stokes Croft a
very long time before the artist ridiculously attained his celebrity
status is plain ugly, naive and stupid. It was completely inoffensive.
What we now have is the calling card of someone who needs to grow a brain
and start confronting their peeves in a mature and effective manner.
By all means create a movement for the better of society/Britian/Earth,
too few people care enough to do so but you have to drop the "Come
on, you only care about it cos...." and "we will not seek permission" bollocks,
it makes you sound like idiots and you have to realise that you are (I'll
say it again) very, very arrogant to assume what everyone cares about
- how the fuck do you know what everyone thinks? Generalising needs to
be proven and substantiated before you can do so. I'm not saying there
aren't lots of people out there who fit your descriptions but this isn't
the way to wake them up. Rethink your tactics because all you have achieved
is vandalism and turned a lot of people against listening to what you
have to say. I will be making my own protests about other issues that
I feel need addressing but are largely ignored. Will keep you posted,
maybe you can learn how to approach things better.
from Tom Bosanquet tombosanquet@yahoo.co.uk
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 11:52 AM
subject Your work
I'm sure you will have been receiving many emails telling you that you
are twats. Here's another. You twats. Utter, utter, twats. Sure most
graffiti is shit, sure Banksy is shit, sure most of the surrounding coverage
is shit, but your words and actions are utter shit. Twats!
from The Pink Pigeon thepinkpigeon@googlemail.com
to appropriate.media101@gmail.com
date Mon, Apr 6, 2009 at 11:47 AM
subject silly buggers
i liked that wall you ruined you bunch of cunts. grow up and stop showing
off. |
