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Art et expression
Axe culturel 1 — Identités et échanges : comment l'art façonne et exprime les identités individuelles et collectives (programme de 2nde)
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Banksy: Art for Everyone
Banksy is one of the world's most famous — and most mysterious — artists. No one knows his real name, his face, or where he was born. What is certain is that since the 1990s, this anonymous British street artist has been leaving his mark on walls, bridges and buildings across the globe.
His works are painted or stencilled onto public surfaces, usually overnight and without permission. They often feature sharp political commentary: images of police officers, children, weapons and flowers placed in unexpected combinations. One of his most famous pieces, Girl with a Balloon (2002), shows a small girl reaching out towards a red, heart-shaped balloon. In 2018, a version of this work sold at auction for over £1 million — and then partially destroyed itself using a shredder hidden in the frame, live in front of the audience. The act itself became a new work of art.
Critics debate whether Banksy's work is art or vandalism. His supporters argue that by using public spaces, he democratises art and reaches people who would never enter a gallery. His critics point out that he damages property without consent. Whatever the verdict, Banksy forces us to ask: Who decides what art is? And who is it for?
Voir le corrigé
- his identity is unknown — See paragraph 1: 'No one knows his real name, his face, or where he was born.'
- on public surfaces — See paragraph 2: 'painted or stencilled onto public surfaces… walls, bridges and buildings.'
- it shredded itself — See paragraph 2: the painting self-destructed using a shredder hidden inside the frame.
- it democratises art — See paragraph 3: 'he democratises art and reaches people who would never enter a gallery.'
- Réponse libre — exemple : On one hand, supporters argue that Banksy's work is positive because it makes art accessible to everyone and raises important political questions. On the other hand, critics say it is vandalism because he paints on property without permission, which causes damage.
- Réponse libre — exemple : The author asks: 'Who decides what art is? And who is it for?' This question is important because it challenges the traditional view that art belongs only in museums and galleries, and invites us to think about who has the power to define culture and artistic value.
Moi c'est Ben, j'ai créé ce site pour aider le plus d'élèves possible, partout en France. Je peux aussi reprendre avec toi ce qui coince en cours particulier : en visio, ou à domicile si tu es à Marseille.
Prof d'anglais à Marseille · Cours particuliers au lycée · Aide aux devoirs