Bansky’s Art Challenges American Consumerism
Nick Ut’s Napalm Girl
On June 8, 1972 photographer Nick Ut took a photo of nine year old Phan Thi Kim Phuc running for her life during the Vietnam War. The napalm blast in Trang Bang left her with severe burns on her back as she escaped her home. Ut captured the terror from that day and later that year the haunting photo was eventually awarded the Pulitzer Prize.
In 2004, an anonymous graffiti artist known as Banksy released an adaption of Ut’s photo. Banksy removed Phan from the original image and inserted her in between two prominent corporate icons, Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald. Although Banksy has never released an official statement about the controversial piece, it is clear that he is conveying a strong critique about American consumerism.
So what makes this image’s pathos strong? Although the inclusion of Phan already carries an established emotional appeal, it is her placement between the two smiling icons that creates a juxtaposition intensifying the disturbing element of the photo. The two icons are American staples that stand for more than just a business. Micky Mouse has been a part of almost every American’s childhood and we typically tend to correlate him with innocence. As well as Ronald McDonald, who has been packaging children’s happiness since 1979.
Taking these three different individuals and placing them together creates a whole new scenario. It looks as if Mickey and Ronald are unconcerned and callous towards young Phan as she is screaming for help. Thus, the image successfully demonizes the American icons. Even the monochromatic color usage reinforces the dramatization of the situation.
Perhaps the satirical work is an attack on the American tendency to be enthralled by materialistic values and ignorant of international affairs. Alternatively, Banksy may be holding corporations accountable for distracting Americans with happy meals and toys. Banksy invites us to think about what his message is and despite the uncertainty of what that maybe, his art invokes an opportunity to ponder larger social issues.
Girl with Soldier Banksy Stencil
http://www.complex.com/style/2013/11/banksy-greatest-works/sirens-of-the-lambs
Banksy’s Napalm Girl
http://www.people.com/article/nick-ut-napalm-girl-photo-kim-phuc
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