Banksy was here

Sotheby's in London has auctioned off a framed version of Banksy's iconographic subject "Girl With Balloon" for over 1 million pounds.When the final bid was made, the big surprise came. Suddenly the screen moved down and the picture was destroyed by a shredder built into the picture frame [nyt]. Right after the surprise, the anonymous artist had published a video detailing how he installed a shredder into the frame [ban].

The disturbing part of this story is that this picture has probably gained even more fame through this action and thus very likely becomes more coveted although shred in pieces; volitional or not, Sotheby's to be in the known or not, the buyer well-informed or not....who knows.

Sources:
[nyt]
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/10/06/arts/design/uk-banksy-painting-sothebys.html

[ban]
https://www.instagram.com/p/BomXijJhArX/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again