2008 Woodie Awards
Art is Hard
John Roberts
Issue date: 9/6/06 Section: Opinion
In a world as upside down as ours, it only seems fitting that Paris Hilton's CD is the most desired item right now.
However, it isn't the edition that is still on sale at Best Buy or even Target. In fact, hardly anyone wants that disk. With all of the hype and marketing usually reserved for a major (read: real) artist, the album only sold 70,000 copies in its first week.
But, when an artist by the name of Banksy decided his newest project would be to tamper with, then randomly redistribute 500 copies of his version of the album across record stores in the U.K., the once boring, repetitive album became one of the hottest selling items on eBay. Many are even
claiming his prank has since transformed into the highest level of subversive art. But is it?
Banksy began by modifying the cover. In the original, Paris is almost completely falling out of her dress.
In Banksy's version, she is topless. Also, the sticker announcing the album's "hit singles" entitled "Stars are Blind" and "Turn it Up" are reworked by Banksy and retitled "Why Am I Famous?" "What Have I Done?" and "What Am I For?"
Throughout the CD booklet, Banksy includes Paris-sounding thoughts and criticisms like "Everytime someone asks me how I am I hesitate for a little bit too long," "Every CD you buy puts me even further out of you league," and "Race to the bottom of the pile!"
However, the best juxtaposition between the original and modified version is when Banksy inserted an entire group of homeless people standing along the limo Paris is exiting in the original with the phrase "90% of success is just showing up."
Banksy ends his parody with a modified CD tray inlet replacing Paris' constantly photographed head with a dog's. Then, a co-conspirator only known by the initials "DM" (possibly Danger Mouse? Known for producing the Gorillaz newest album and exactly one half of Gnarls Barkley) remixed the entire CD.
The artists' message seems clear enough. Just because a ghostwriter wrote about your life and you put your name on it and fragrance makers managed to catch your wretched smell and beautify it does NOT mean you can sing.
However, it isn't the edition that is still on sale at Best Buy or even Target. In fact, hardly anyone wants that disk. With all of the hype and marketing usually reserved for a major (read: real) artist, the album only sold 70,000 copies in its first week.
But, when an artist by the name of Banksy decided his newest project would be to tamper with, then randomly redistribute 500 copies of his version of the album across record stores in the U.K., the once boring, repetitive album became one of the hottest selling items on eBay. Many are even
claiming his prank has since transformed into the highest level of subversive art. But is it?
Banksy began by modifying the cover. In the original, Paris is almost completely falling out of her dress.
In Banksy's version, she is topless. Also, the sticker announcing the album's "hit singles" entitled "Stars are Blind" and "Turn it Up" are reworked by Banksy and retitled "Why Am I Famous?" "What Have I Done?" and "What Am I For?"
Throughout the CD booklet, Banksy includes Paris-sounding thoughts and criticisms like "Everytime someone asks me how I am I hesitate for a little bit too long," "Every CD you buy puts me even further out of you league," and "Race to the bottom of the pile!"
However, the best juxtaposition between the original and modified version is when Banksy inserted an entire group of homeless people standing along the limo Paris is exiting in the original with the phrase "90% of success is just showing up."
Banksy ends his parody with a modified CD tray inlet replacing Paris' constantly photographed head with a dog's. Then, a co-conspirator only known by the initials "DM" (possibly Danger Mouse? Known for producing the Gorillaz newest album and exactly one half of Gnarls Barkley) remixed the entire CD.
The artists' message seems clear enough. Just because a ghostwriter wrote about your life and you put your name on it and fragrance makers managed to catch your wretched smell and beautify it does NOT mean you can sing.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Paris Hilton Fan
posted 9/06/06 @ 8:04 PM PST
I don't agree with the loser. I by far do not agree with his views.
I don't care if Paris can sing or not, her album is so much fun and enjoyable to listen to, and that's all that counts. (Continued…)
tim kasher
posted 9/09/06 @ 1:41 PM PST
be a little more original with your title...
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