“Bansky” is a notorious British underground artist who uses graffiti (among other art forms) in a subversive way to deconstruct pervasive symbols and thus stimulate cultural and political commentary. Bansky’s identity remains a well-publicized mystery, along with a validated explanation of his works and his intent. Bansky’s works can be regarded as creative destruction, that is, defacement of public property fior a higher/ self-serving purpose: to introduce “alternative” public discourse through art. Conversely, the canvals of his work (usually the walls of buildings in crowded public areas) can be seen as destructive creation because the creation of something new inevitably leads to the repurposing of the canvas itself through the newly-created artwork. Bansky’s operating strategies – usually a “design and dash” method – seem to follow similar energy patterns as those of anarchist activities (at least specifically speaking, i.e. during the Greek riots). Moreover, Bansky-as-myth and rioters-as-symbol epitomize a state of liminality in the sense that they cannot be placed within a consistent framework. Their symbolic and mythical status oscillates between anarchy [[social marginality]] and organized political movement [[within the cultural/ capitalist logic]].
