MELROSEandFAIRFAX has been at the forefront of all the Banksy action in LA. In fact, we think we were the first internet source to post all four pieces and have had the exclusive jump on the action that has happened since.
It all started with a tip we received on the blog we hunted down Banksy's Crayon Soldier. We didn't know anything about Lauren Conrad's tweet at the time, like most internet sources, and even though she technically had the inside scoop, we were the first to launch the
initial pics of Banksy's Crayon Soldier.
Before the thrill of the first Banksy had even worn off, we were tipped off on another Banksy- the Charlie Brown on Sunset, and we rushed over to take the
first pics, and put
QtipTheCat in the pics for good measure.
On the way home from Charlie, we snapped pics of what we thought at the time was just another impressive graffiti billboard takeover and
posted them that same night. We were the first ones in the world to post these images, but had no idea that 'Livin the Dream' was Banksy at the time. The next day Banksy posted the images
on his website and word got out that
the billboard was a Banksy.
We had hardly got done posting that the billboard was indeed a Banksy when a viewer submitted pics of the pissing Bulldog. We
blasted the pics out there not sure at the time whether it was a Banksy or not. It was, and we locked down the position of being the first internet source to cover each of Banksy's four new pieces in Los Angeles.
It has been a wild ride that did not stop with the discovery but led on to C
harlie being boarded up, and then
uncovered and
drilled, and finally
removed and
put on ebay.
As if
that weren't drama enough, L
ivin the Dream got taken down and respectable folks almost came to fists fighting over it.
And aside from all the pieces themselves, there have been all kinds of great community stories including
rumors about other pieces by Banksy,
Banksy getting spot-jacked,
stories of dedication from the legions of Banksy fans,
street art dedicated to Banksy's street art, not to mention
good dialogue on the topic of street art.
But perhaps the coolest thing has been the way the community has flocked to MELROSEandFAIRFAX for the latest breaking news on Banksy, and not only find out about what's happening, but contribute to the making
the story itself and submitting, what we believe to be
exclusive shots of Banksy's Crayon Soldier before it was buffed.
It has been a wild ride, and we have only managed 10 hours of sleep the last 3 nights combined. It has been well worth it, and we have loved every moment of this chase. Huge thanks to all the viewers, followers, and contributors who have made all this magic happen!
And our personal guess is that there might be a new crop of Banksy street art in Los Angeles after the Oscars are awarded. Win or lose, we expect to see something. (But c'mon, no doubt Banksy is going to win! When is the last time people were talking about the award so much?)
Keep checking back to MELROSEandFAIRFAX for the latest, greatest breaking news on Banksy in LA.
