Gross Domestic Product
London, October 2019
When: October 1-15, 2019
Where: Church Street, Croydon, London, England
Credit: Banksyblog
Banksy opened a very special kind of store in Croydon, South London, on October 1, 2019. Street windows were showcasing an amazing scenography of dazzling artworks that could only have been made by Banksy…
As queues of fans and buyers formed around the block, awaiting for doors to open, it soon became clear that this was not a store at all, but merely a display for yet another amazing Banksy project entitled “Gross Domestic Product”…
GROSS DOMESTIC PRODUCT™
In a notice on the shopfront, Banksy outlined the reasons for opening a shop, explaining that it was the result of legal action from a greeting card company who tried to trademark his name.
In order to combat this impending commercialization of the Banksy brand, the artist was advised and decided to create and sell his own line of “domestic products”. Indeed, the reason to open the store is not only artistic: there is a trademark dispute between Banksy and a greeting-cards company using the Banksy brand while selling products with Banksy’s art. As usual, the artist has found the perfect artistic answer, at the same time as making a political, social and artistic commentary.
According to DACS (the not-for-profit visual artists’ rights management organization in the UK) chairman and media lawyer Mark Stephens: “… the law clearly states that if the trademark holder is not using the mark then it should be handed to someone who will.”
The perfect solution: create a merchandise range and open a shop.
In Banksy’s own words: “Everything in the store “has been created specifically to fulfill a particular trademark category under EU law”, Banksy says. “I had the legal sheet pinned up in the studio like a muse.” He adds: “John Lennon said: ‘I’m an artist, give me a tuba and I’ll get something out of it.’ I feel the same way about a trademark dispute.”
Does Art Matter?
Banksy warns customers that they may have a “disappointing retail experience”.
“Everything is produced by a handful of people using recycled material wherever possible in a workplace culture of daytime drinking. So there isn’t loads of it and it’s not all ready to ship straight away.”
Indeed, nobody will come back home with any product and the shop will never actually open its doors. On top of it, each product will be sold to the most deserving bidder, as determined by Banksy‘s own good will…
The website is clear from the outset that the store doesn’t work on a “first come, first serve” basis. Until October 28, shoppers can browse the items and sign up to a list. Each buyer can only sign up for one item…
Those who want a Banksy original must answer the question ‘Why does art matter?’, with the ‘Why’ crossed out, in 50 words or less, and supply their contact information.
The reply to this question will be vital—if demand spikes, they will be used to help evaluate who gets to make the purchase. In fact, buyers are asked to make their answers “as amusing, informative or enlightening as possible.”
Applications will be randomly selected and then narrowed down. According to the website, answers will be assessed by an impartial and independent judge, namely a professional stand-up comedian. Winning registrants will receive word that they have won the option to purchase the selected item.
The original products, which will be awarded a certification of authenticity on the second anniversary of the purchase, are priced far below market value.
In fact, Gross Domestic Product isn’t aimed at the high-end collector. A disclaimer on the store’s website actually states that wealthy art collectors should “refrain from registering at this time,” in order to give lower-income art lovers a chance at this piece of history.
Exhibit Views
BANKSY™ THROWER
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This is Banksy’s first experiment with a new technique for making prints – spray the stencil onto processing film and expose the result directly onto a silk screen.
This avoids photography or computer manipulation and creates a super accurate analogue representation of gestural mark making.
In other words – looks pretty dope.
Comes as set of three signed and numbered.
A black and white hand finished edition will be available at some point
BANKSY™ BANKSQUIAT
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A print made in homage to New York post-graffiti pioneer Jean-Michel Basquiat.
In which Banksy is cleverly questioning the relentless commodification of Basquiat in recent times – by crassly adding to the relentless commodification of Basquiat in recent times.
Two different papers – black and grey board
Signed.
BANKSY™ CLOCK
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Upcycled from an office supplies store, this timepiece features a trademark Banksy rat and is suitable for home, office or Home Office.
The precision mechanism requires 1x AA battery to accurately mark our relentless and steady ticking towards the great unknown.
Screen printed in black and individually hand smudged.
Signed on the reverse.
BANKSY™ MET BALL
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This home entertainment lighting system is made from an old Police riot helmet and approximately 650 little mirrors.
Signed on the inside.
BANKSY™ CLUTCH BAG
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This fashion-forward accessory is made from a genuine real life house brick and is perfect for the kind of person who doesn’t carry much but might need to whack someone in the face.
Probably no less practical than the output of most haute couture fashion houses.
Made from random bits of old handbag so yours may differ from the one pictured.
Signed.
BANKSY™ DUCK & COVER
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Duck
An updated version of the classic 70’s design classic of three flying ducks – this relief wall decoration depicts a fleet of unmanned predator drones descending in formation.
Comes as a set of three.
Hand painted resin and signed.
BANKSY™ EARLY LEARNING COUNTING SET
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Engage all your child’s learning muscles with this fun counting game. See how many figures they can fit in the truck while it makes a quick stop.
Wipe clean finish, contains small parts unsuitable for under 12’s.
Proceeds from the sale of this item are used to support migrant rescue missions in the Mediterranean. Italian courts have ruled this illegal so customers are advised the purchase of this item could constitute a criminal offence.
Signed.
BANKSY™ X ESCIF – AXE
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Made in collaboration with Spanish artist Escif this hand made tool with a happy ending makes a fine decorative companion to fireside or radiator.
Made from polymer resin so not much good for actually chopping wood.
Signed.
BANKSY™ VEST
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A version of the ‘John Bull’ English gents waistcoat updated for modern times. This customised body armour is capable of stopping bullets up to .45 calibre and is fully stab proof, yet not machine washable.
As worn by Stormzy at Glastonbury festival (because it’s very dangerous there).
One size only.
BANKSY™ SOFT TOYS
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This delightful wall-mounted collection of critters is perfect for the Blue Planet generation. Made from charity shop kids toys and genuine random beach detritus, so may contain germs/infectious substances.
Made as the toys become available.
Sold as a set of three. Signed.
BANKSY™ CUSHIONS
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Are you fed up with soft furnishings trying to express feelings on your behalf?
Then let these stenciled cushions make that clear.
They come as a pair but might not match as they’re painted on what gets found in the charity shop.
Comes as a set of two.
BANKSY™ TOMBSTONE
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What do you buy for the person who has everything?
A 230kg reminder that you can’t take it with you.
Hand carved by Banksy in a slab of Portland stone.
Collection only – from the quarry.
BANKSY™ WELCOME MAT
This mat is hand stitched using the fabric from life vests abandoned on the beaches of the Mediterranean.
Customers are advised they no longer constitute a valid buoyancy aid – although shockingly many never did – they’re cheap fakes sold by people smugglers and don’t actually float.
To fabricate the mats Banksy has teamed up with the organization ‘Love Welcomes’ who work with women in detainment camps in Greece.
All proceeds are retained locally to help refugees access key services.
Life vest not included.
BANKSY™ RUG
A bit of old carpet painted to resemble the diabetes riddled corpse of Tony the tiger.
This floor covering makes quite the conversation piece…
Especially if the conversation centers around the UK spending over £7.8million a year on tooth extractions for the under 5’s.
Carpet with resin head.
Suitable for vegetarians. Signed.
BANKSY™ BABY MOBILE
Banksy has created the ultimate ceiling mounted stimulus toy to prepare your little one for the journey ahead…
A lifetime of constant scrutiny both state sanctioned and self imposed.
Doesn’t rotate very well, some self assembly required.
BANKSY™ GOLDFISH
Due to some issues with bubbles that need to be ironed out.
This product will be available in the New Year.
BANKSY™ BALLOON TEE
This image has been the jewel in the crown of every Banksy bootlegger for the past 15 years, now the first official version comes with an actual jewel on it.
Screen-print on guilt-free fair trade tee with pendant.
XS size only.
BANKSY™ BLACK
It might look like Banksy has torn the label off an old can of paint, written his name on it, and is trying to market it as a brand new product
(just to prevent a paint company from getting there first)
But that is certainly not what’s happened, no…
This is trademarked Banksy paint, an exciting new addition to the world of branded wall coverings.
Some of the contents may be missing.
BANKSY™ TAGGED TEE
An attempt to fulfil the trademark requirement to sell clothing with the artists name written on…
These tagged tees are made out of charity shop shirts vandalized with stainer ink, spraypaint or oil stick.
Every one is different, will last a while but might stain other stuff if you wash it at the same time.
Sizes vary.
BANKSY™ MUG
Have you ever looked at a Banksy and thought – my kid could do that?
Well, so has Banksy and now they have.
Required to release a range of branded mugs the artist got the kids to do it, then signed the result.
Fully glazed and some feature a charming spelling error.
Comes in a random selection of designs.
BANKSY™ ULTRA HD TV
Perfect for the snowflake generation, a 55 inch colour TV with a big Banksy on it.
Which is totally fine from an art point of view, but does substantially impair viewing quality.
Made to order when the used TV’s becomes available.
Signed.
BANKSY™ SHREDDED TEE
The same played-out old image, this time attacked with a knife by the artist.
On-trend consumers might be aware that Vogue magazine calls ‘fringing’ a ‘hot trend’ this season.
Shame we don’t ship until Christmas.
Screen-print on fair trade tee.
Probably not really machine washable now.
XS size only.
