Probably not, but after the recent raising of diplomatic tensions surrounding the ESF in France, it’s reassuring to see some rapprochement.
This marvellous image was spotted by Ski Marmalade yesterday on the Altiport chairlift in Meribel:
Has Banksy been to Meribel?
Homage to Banksy
There can be little doubt that this is a homage to Banksy’s ‘kissing policemen’, which appeared on the wall of a pub in Brighton in 2004.
No coincidence perhaps that this work was in the news last month, when it sold for £345,000 at an auction.
Now worth over £340,000
Who is responsible? Here’s our three theories:
1. Banksy
We already know he’s a public schoolboy from Bristol, so he’s bound to ski in Meribel from time to time.
He read Boris Johnson’s hackneyed piece in The Daily Telegraph about ‘deeply tanned and handsomely creased’ French instructors whose ‘eyes twinkle roguishly at his female charges’ and felt obliged to respond by questioning this cliched image.
2. A Banksy wannabee
All of the above, but he/she is not Banksy – they just want to be. This guerrilla artist has just kicked off their career with a cutting political statement.
3. The ESF
As Don Draper once said: ‘If you don’t like what’s being said, then change the conversation’.
With all the negative chat around, could it be the ESF have chosen to paint a more inclusive picture of themselves that simply says ‘we are so hip and ironic, how could we be nasty?’
Please, please, please let it be the latter…
Article by Iain Martin
3 comments
Sam says:
Apr 2, 2014
They certainly didn’t do it themselves as they were shamefully scrapping it off the following day in full view of amused Altiport ascenders jeering and whooping.
iain says:
Apr 2, 2014
That is terrible. What a shame – we’re talking about art here. Hints of homophobic paranoia?
iain says:
Oct 23, 2014
Footnote – it runs out that this is the work of Caesar – and he plans to be back for more according to this video…
http://vimeo.com/109391117