Banksy Caught Red-Handed On Melrose Last Night?
By Emily Green
Feb 24, 2011 11:22 am

According to NY Magazine'sVulture, reader Katrina Elder wrote in describing her encounter with the master at work on the Joyrich Building at Melrose and Spaulding last night, adding that when caught, he "threw down a few stickers that say 'DESIRE OBTAIN CHERISH.'" Hmmm...

Firstly, was it really Banksy and not someone else? The art depicts young girls wearing gas masks, a common theme in "Banksy's" works, but L.A. street art blog Melrose+Fairfax alsoreported the new art this morning and made no such attribution. With their knowledge and dedication to the subject, wouldn't they dub this a Banksy, whom they've been tracking closely, if they thought it was one?
The other peculiarity in the story is the 'DESIRE OBTAIN CHERISH' stickers part. DOC is a local street art collective that's been pretty active recently and was even spotted this morning by Melrose+Fairfax working on a new Oscar-themed piece at the Joyrich building. I'm going to say this is no coincidence. And why would Banksy run around L.A. promoting another street art team? I guess it's possible he wants to show his support for his art form on a local level but it's a bit bizarre, no?


Left: sticker Vulture reader says Banksy threw down last night via; Right: Desire Obtain Cherish stickers for purchase on their website
I think what Vulture's eyewitness saw was not Banksy or Banksy collaborator, but someone from DOC perhaps trying catch a ride on the mysterious graffiti artist's hype wave and get some recognition. If that's the case, then a tip of the hat to them for succeeding.
Oh Banksy, look what you made me do! Here I am AGAIN writing paragraphs about you and I don't even think you're real.
[Top photos via Melrose+Fairfax]
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