After the world-famous street artist had his Cambridge mural covered up, word had come down to us that Banksy, perhaps or perhaps not, had tagged again in Boston. After sending a photog to the location, we discovered the rumors were in regard to the old one. Oops. That didn’t stop us from talking to Geoff Hargadon anyway.
In the meantime, enjoy the trailer of his phenomenal new documentary, Exit Through the Gift Shop. And this talk with Geoff.
Do you know for sure if it’s a Banksy?
I don’t know. Maybe it’s an imposter, from Los Angeles homeboy, what’s his name? Mr. Super Fantastic?
Oh yeah, Mister Brainwashed, oh man.
Is he still doing his thing?
Oh yeah, he had a huge show in Miami during the art fair. He took over a building and filled it up with mannequins dressed up as Stormtroopers, overlooking Collins. It was totally over the top.
[Laughs]
Yeah.
Are there any characteristics? Any way we would know if it’s really him?
It’s in the cleverness. It’s too intangible, really. He’s got an unusual sense of humor and he tries to go for the jugular sometimes as well, at the same time. Not that many people are good at it. So even if you want to make a stencil, go for it, but it doesn’t mean you’re going to get the message right. It’s more sophisticated than what other people are doing. It’s a notch above the crowd.
Right.
I’ve never met him. I’m not sure I want to.
Then the bubble will burst.
I understand from my friends in the street art community that he’s dropped off the face of the earth since the movie. He’s not returning anybody’s calls or anything. He might as well be dead. And not that much work either. Just a little bit. So I don’t know maybe there’s a little Christmas present out there for the east coast. We’ll see.
Apparently not. =(
