A Return Visit To BanksyNY's Bubble Letter Finale

The last piece from Banksy was so packed with drama and excitement that it is worth a return visit to Banksy's Balloon Bubble Letter Throw-Up.  This piece was the finale to his month long show.

Basically, what is happening in all these pictures is that some dudes used ladders to climb the building and snag Banksy's balloon bubble letters. As they jumped off, the balloon dudes got physically assaulted by 2 Banksy Hunters. The police witnessed the entire thing, and they arrested the two balloon dudes for trespass and criminal mischief. The two Banksy Hunters who assaulted the dudes were not arrested. But later, the police also arrested a couple more photo people who supposedly got in the way of the NYPD performing its duties. What duties? Well, like fat balloon butt cops trying to figure out how to cram Banksy's Balloons into the back of a police van. And then there's some pics of people improvising after Banksy's balloons were taken.

So that's the story behind the madness. 

Click the jump through to check the pictures of Banksy's New York finale

The NYPD Can't Catch Banksy! (but they did catch BanksyNY's balloon)

This is rich. The NYPD decided to confiscate Banksy's Balloon Graffiti Throw Up. Guess the NYPD can't catch Banksy, but they did catch his balloon!

All humor aside, this could be more devious than cops merely confiscating illegal art. America's police departments have been known to seize money or other quetionably illegal stuff, and then the person they took it from must prove that it is not illegal. Its an unfair practice abused by many police departments to try and garner more money for themselves. So, its kinda like the NYPD 'stole' Banksy's piece. Lets see if the police cash in, or if the balloon gets 'returned' to the building owner.

Or perhaps the NYPD just wants the Balloon for fingerprints. (Yikes!)

Also, the dudes who tried to steal the balloons ended up getting arrested. M&F is not condoning what they did, but out of everyone who claimed a Banksy this month, these dudes seemed to do it the right way risking life and limb to grab a 'public' piece with no clear owner. Survival of the streetest? And now they are getting arrested? Something smells sour about this situation.

All in all, Banksy couldn't have scripted a better ending. This is not using art as decoration. This is 'making' art in real life. This is why he came to New York. Like Banksy said, "Nobody comes to New York to bathe in your well mannered common sense. We're here for your spirit and audacity."

Indeed. Stay up, New York~

Oh Shit! Shit's Gettin' Real at BanksyNY's Balloon Throw Up!

Oh shit! Shit is gettin' real at Banksy's Balloon Throw Up piece.

It turns out, when the dude who snagged Banksy's piece jumped off the roof, he got physically mugged by a couple of tough looking Banksy Hunters. Problem is, all of the drama happened right in front of the cops, so some people might be getting arrested for this!

UPDATE! -- The Dudes Got Banksy's Balloons! -- Police are On the Scene!

Update! The dudes got Banksy's balloon down. But the NYPD showed up, and not sure how this is going to turn out!

Haha. Its kind of funny how the NYPD has been chasing Banksy all month, and now they are in the opposite position of defending his art work?

Yup, this is art~

Some Dudes are ALREADY Trying to Snatch BanksyNY's Inflatable Throwie!

Some dudes are already trying to snatch BanksyNY's 'Inflatable Throw-up'.

Apparently, the dudes have a ladder long enough to get up to the upper level, but the balloons are tied to to the rooftop, so they appear to be safe--for the minute.

This piece would have been much safer, and stronger, if Banksy had actually painted the graffiti onto the building.  Have never seen one cut out of a building this high up.  Just sayin'.

Ironically enough, some of the folks on the scene are calling the cops to protect Banksy's vandalism. What a strange world we live in, and as Banksy says in his audio, why live in a world decorated by art, when we could live in a world made of art? Watching how the public fumbles over how to deal with a Banksy, its real life art (chasing after art).

BanksyNY's Broken Hearted Balloon Gets Saved! (what's left of it anyway)

Banksy's Broken Hearted Balloon will have an extended life on the streets now that it has been affixed behind a protective barrier of plexiglass.  Word is the property owner even plans on leaving the Balloon on the building for the public to enjoy.

That's the good news.

The bad news is that what is left of the balloon to protect is only a bastardized version of the original. The majority of Banksy's balloon is still there, but after getting painted over, and around by fame bangers, the final result is just not the same.

Click the pics to check out the before and after

Banksy's Broken Hearted Bandaged Balloon

Banksy's Broken Hearted Band Aid Balloon has been spotted on the streets of New York.

Already, this is a clear favorite for folks to interact with.  Love the pic of the cop taking a cell phone shot.

Dig it.  Hope it rides a long time without getting defaced!

Instant Classic - Banksy's Band Aid Balloon Heart

Banksy just revealed his latest--a balloon covered in band aids.

This piece is an instant classic. sure to be a favorite image among art lovers.

Banksy's Balloon Girl in the Valley

One Day the Bubble Will Burst

Free Humanity Goes to The Bank

Free Humanity tweaks Banksy's balloon girl stencil image, replacing the heart from Banksy's piece with a green dollar sign.

Click the jump below for more