Yes, in these frightening times where the recession is gripping business firmly round the neck and we are almost becoming numb to prices spiralling out of control, it might seem a £75,000 barcode was…well just a sign of the times. Certainly puts manufacturing costs up! But actually, this is news that barcodes have just got trendy! Just like Andy Warhols Campbell soup tins in the 1960’s, Graffiti artist Banksy has brought the barcode well and truly into the 21st century. At a price mind.
Now, I’m not a great fan of modern art. I tend to visit modern art exhibitions like others would watch a good comedy stand up. I tend to be at the back stiffling giggles at how ridiculous it all is. This is usually followed by a deep sigh and a shake of the head. How can someone glory in the joys of an unmade bed, a pickled sheep or a crumpled piece of paper? I would pay Tracey Emin to make her bed rather than buy her…art.
But having said that I really like Banksy’s portrail of a barcode though I’m still trying to work out what it means (answers on a postcard please). It depicts a huge barcode sitting on what appears to be a trailer and two of the bars of the barcode are bent outwards like the bars of a cage. In front of the barcode walks a sultry and beautiful leopard. It seems Banksy actually created this as far back as 2004 and this was the first time it has been in front of the auctioneers hammer. Only 5 were made and each has his signature on. The stencil painting Leopard and Barcode, which has never been under the hammer before, sold for £75,650.
Anyway the fact is if it is art you want then it is money you need. If it is affordable barcodes you need they are not spiralling out of control quite yet. This is because I don’t sign the back of each barcode. Visit our website to view our complete catalogue and more.
