Oh Banksy, You're The Banksyest!

If you want to talk about street art, you want to act like you know about making an impact in a world where art imitates life and most likely vice versa, you want to talk about a movement within a movement within a society's restrictions and freedoms, you want to talk about worldwide wonder created with every awe-inspiring piece, you have to, no you need to start with the one who goes by the name of Banksy, also known in certain circles as Mr. Brainwash.

With the release of his debut film, Exit Through the Gift Shop and consequential Academy Award nominations for Best Documentary, Banksy's admirably amazing availability and artistic ability was released into the wild known as mainstream media.

We know all about the conundrum that is known as selling out. You know, all eventually successful artists find themselves susceptible to being called a sellout at any given moment by any given diehard fan or circumstantial critic. This unfair accusation usually culminates with the artist's totally deserving praise and award-winning work after years of toiling as a quote: underground artist. The hard-core fans are upset, because let's face it: we are selfish, we don't want to share and we want the distinct pleasure of knowing that we know something no one else does. That makes us happy. That validates our endless seeking.

But deep down, we are happy for the Banksys, the Arcade Fires, the Darren Aronofskys, the (on a personal and older tip) Incubuses of the world. We are happy for them, because there is no denying their raw power and magnetic attraction and we can't help it if the rest of the world is slow to catch on to the awesomeness of our interests.