One of the most expensive pranks just happened at the Sotheby's auction house. Back in 2006, the Sotheby's Auction House acquired the "Girl with Balloon" painting by the famous street artist Banksy.
Earlier today the painting was sold on auction for £860,000 ($1.1 million). Shortly later, the painting started shred itself via a self-destruct mechanism built into the frame by the original artist.
“We’ve just been Banksy’ed, He is arguably the greatest British street artist, and tonight we saw a little piece of Banksy genius. You could argue that the work is now more valuable. It’s certainly the first piece to be spontaneously shredded as an auction ends."
Alex Branczik, senior director at Sotheby’s.
I'm sure this isn't even the most expensive prank in history, but damn that's a big one. I'd be pissed but from what I have read it is on the hands of the auction house as it never left the auction house. In all likelihood, it will become even more valuable.
Oh man! Could you imagine the heart sinking feeling seeing that right after you bought it! haha. I agree that it will be worth more now though lol that's too funny.
My first thought, of course, would be "Fuck!".
... but then I realize: This can be re-sold for at least 3 million $. ;)
Lol right!
Wow thats ridiculous. I think he agrees they paid too much.
.
.
.
Give me a stencil!
Here is a video:
Think about it? Someone had their finger on that remote to start the shredding. I would bet it is a planned publicity stunt.
Oh the masses and the gullibility!
There was someone dressed in black that had a scuffle with the security that managed to get away. People suspect it was Bansky.
There you go. Now he can sell his art for double if there is no frame. If there is a frame buyer beware.
More !popcorn please. Its all about the popcorn.
Haha, that's a great prank! I guess the statement could be that art such as this is grossly overpriced, so it will be very ironic if this turns out to make the piece more valuable.
I'd be pissed, but I'm going to bet it will make it worth a lot more.
I say it will be too!
Yeah, especially since it didn't fully shred (judging from the photo). I suppose it's still possible to frame it and put it on display.
Even if. People paying 1'000'000$ for a piece of paper with paint on it live in a different world. They can and will resell it for at least 3 million $.
I can promise. Being that much in the news and such a unicum - it definitely will.
Yeah, there's definitely a lot of potential for them to profit a lot from this event. It's unfortunate if they wanted to have the piece for private or public display though, because it was a nice piece.
Totally, the photos show it didn't shred all the way, so for sure it is more valuable now and a great conversation starter
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Yep, exactly. It can probably also still be on display.
Awesome.
What a fine day to be British :D
The fine art world is such a pretentious thing (I'm a former fine arts major XD), as long as the buyer wasn't on the hook, this makes me laugh. Most artists can't even afford ramen, but some rich person decides you're the next big thing and suddenly you can smear poop on a canvas and sell it for a million bucks. Banksy earns more art points in my head for this. XD
Just like here on the blockchain:)
And this is art!
Wonderful example of holding a mirror in front of society.
Hilarious and funny.
Lol, this is pure Banksy. Good on him.
Brilliant!!!!
That is fucking awesome!!!!!!
Banksy rocks. I wonder if the auction house were aware of it...
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They claim they had no clue and they are the ones on the hook as it didn’t leave the auction house yet.
I'm so lucky to have seen this displayed in Amsterdam in 2014. Maybe my photo is worth some money hahaha.
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This was insane (and brilliant)!
That is savage!
Banksy is the best troll. I like how he recreated the feeling of a kids balloon floating away for the buyer by shredding the painting. The man is diabolical, it's definitely going to be worth more XD
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I guess somebody must have shred a tear
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i just asked to buy it in that condition and yes, it cost twice heheh (PD: just kiddin) :)
Wow, that's one of the craziest pranks I've heard of.
Fucking epic.
Dude, you know you look like an onion now right?
Bernie does have a point, though. If people cut him, ... they cry. :D
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