A new street art piece by an enigmatic artist calling themselves 'Banski' has appeared alongside Banksy's famous lighthouse artwork in Marseille, France. The mysterious work challenges passersby to consider the value of protecting street art, creating an intriguing dialogue between two anonymous artists in the city's cultural landscape.
The original Banksy artwork emerged on May 30th in the tunnel on Félix-Frégier Street in Marseille's 7th arrondissement, just steps away from the Catalans beach area. The piece features a lighthouse drawn within the shadow cast by a small street post, accompanied by the poignant message 'I want to be what you saw in me.' As soon as Banksy posted the work on his official Instagram account, it drew massive crowds of visitors eager to see the latest creation by the world's most famous anonymous street artist.
The timing of the artwork's revelation proved particularly fortuitous, as large numbers of English-speaking tourists were already in the city that evening to attend Bruce Springsteen's concert at the Vélodrome stadium. This confluence of events brought unprecedented attention to the piece, with fans of both the legendary musician and the mysterious street artist flocking to the narrow tunnel to witness Banksy's latest social commentary.
Now, the arrival of the 'Banski' artwork has added another layer of intrigue to the location. Positioned strategically next to Banksy's lighthouse, this new piece engages viewers in a conversation about the preservation and protection of street art. The work raises thought-provoking questions about whether temporary art forms like graffiti and street murals should be safeguarded, and what happens when underground art movements gain mainstream recognition and protection.
The appearance of 'Banski's work represents a fascinating example of artistic dialogue in public spaces, where one anonymous artist responds to another through their shared medium. This development transforms the tunnel into an evolving gallery space where conversations about art, preservation, and public engagement continue to unfold through visual expression rather than traditional discourse.
