A playful street art piece created by local artist Tapas nocturne has been painted over by city authorities in Marseille, France, after property owners demanded its removal. The work, signed 'Banski' as a humorous nod to the famous British street artist Banksy, appeared near an authentic Banksy piece on Félix-Frégier Street in the city's 7th district.
The controversial graffiti depicted a small character pointing at the plexiglass protection covering the neighboring Banksy artwork, with text asking 'Will they protect me behind glass too?' The piece served as a commentary on the challenges facing ephemeral street art, caught between the risk of deterioration and efforts at preservation. City officials confirmed they covered the work with paint 'at the request of the private property owners.'
The original Banksy piece, which appeared on May 30, features a lighthouse stenciled in a play of shadows with a street pole, accompanied by the phrase 'I want to be what you saw in me.' The work quickly became a local attraction after its discovery, though it faced early vandalism when someone added male genitalia to the image. Local painters Richard Campana and heritage decorator Agnès Perrone quickly restored the piece.
Security measures around the Banksy work have been extensive. 'The first few nights, there was even a security guard watching over it,' said a resident from the building across the street. The authentic Banksy is now protected by varnish and a transparent panel, and has even been listed on Google Maps as a point of interest.
Local reactions to the removal of the 'Banski' piece were mixed. Christelle, a resident of the 7th district, expressed disappointment, saying 'It's a shame, that character made me laugh a lot. At the same time, this artist succeeded in his goal! He made us question what was designated as artwork or not, before leaving, erased by those who felt it wasn't one.' However, a neighboring resident disagreed, stating 'I'm sorry but that wasn't art!' She argued that only Banksy's lighthouse 'deserves' to enter history, adding concerns about the area becoming overrun like Cours Julien.
Tapas nocturne, the author of the removed piece, responded to the erasure on Instagram with 'Oh well, what a surprise!' The artist, who has published a comic book compiling his various graffiti works, is known for playing with his environment. His small character has previously been spotted near Cours Julien, on the walls of Le Panier district, and in Camas, often mocking tourists or humorously denouncing gentrification in these neighborhoods.
The incident has reignited debates about the preservation and recognition of street art in Marseille. The contrast between the protection afforded to the internationally famous Banksy piece and the swift removal of local street art highlights ongoing tensions between property rights, artistic expression, and cultural preservation in urban spaces. The tunnel on Félix-Frégier Street, just hundreds of meters from Catalans Beach, continues to attract curious passersby who witness this ongoing 'episode' of creation and erasure that unfolds day by day.
