Ulrich Blanche Book order

The history of street art up to Bansky--four decades of trailblazing graffiti in Europe. Graffiti has always been a wild, free, and ephemeral art form--from its origins in the 1960s through the photographs of Brassaï, who transformed graffiti into art, to the Sprayer of Zurich in the 1970s and the appearance of the first works by Banksy in England. This book studies the illegal roots of the art form with over 120 vandals from more than a dozen countries, tracing its journey to the dawn of the new millennium. Where do the origins of street art and graffiti lie? In the far-flung region between Paris, Düsseldorf, and Zurich, European graffiti developed not in the gallery but outdoors, for the general public. Who were the pioneers of street art and concept artists who left their signatures in the rue Visconti in Paris between 1962 and 1986? What are the links between pop music, graffiti photos, and records? And who was Rimbaud, the queer revolutionary nineteenth-century poet to whom countless street artists referred? Find the answers to these questions and many more in this compelling story of how graffiti began.

Damien Hirst constantly faces the accusation that he creates merely popular, salable, or easily consumable art. However, this accusation of "selling out" is closely linked to the great popularity that he enjoys. Discussions about the aesthetic value of art and the importance of consumer culture are incorporated into his works and highlight how the artist has been able to exemplify the consumer culture of our age. This study analyzes works from different periods of his oeuvre, such as the Natural History series, the Spot Paintings, the Diamond Skull, and Hirst's collaborations with Street Artist Banksy. They are examined in the context of materials, iconography, and history of ideas with regard to their framing of consumer culture. This is one of few books on Hirst not published by the artist himself or under his influence. In this academic study, Ulrich Blanché also gives a compact overview of the Young British Artists in London in the 1990s.

Bristol-born Banksy is often labeled a Street Artist, yet his work transcends this classification, revealing a deeper engagement with consumer culture. This publication explores Banksy as a contemporary Urban Artist, focusing on both his street art and gallery exhibitions. It highlights significant works that showcase his versatility and represent different phases of his career. This marks the first academic study of Banksy’s art in English, providing a history and analysis of Graffiti, Street Art, and Urban Art, along with extensive biographical details. It appeals to both academics and the general public. In this edition, Banksy and fellow artist Damien Hirst emerge as prominent figures in British contemporary art, positioned at the intersection of art, consumerism, and pop culture. A comprehensive academic exploration of their artistic perspectives and consumer culture references has been lacking, which Ulrich Blanché addresses by examining their works within the context of the London art scene since 1980. He draws connections to influential figures like Duchamp, Warhol, and Koons, while reflecting on the observer's role and the interplay between art, consumer culture, and marketing. This two-volume edition is a translated and expanded version of the author’s dissertation.