Security Guard Attempts to Eat a Banksy Replica, is Now Brokesy
A security guard at Moscow’s VDNKh “To Find Banksy” exhibition vandalized and attempted to eat part of the Banksy replica, “Goldfish Bowl.” The shocking act, caught on video, is more interesting than the artwork that he vandalized.
By Odd News Show Staff · February 28, 2024
An incident occurred at the “To Find Banksy” exhibition, a collection of replica Banksy works (known in Russia as “Banksky”), in Moscow’s VDNKh permanent exhibition center. A security guard made a splash into the murky pool of vandalism by damaging and then attempting to consume a goldfish in the replica of Banksy’s “Goldfish Bowl.”
Last week, organizers of the exhibition were alarmed to discover a key element missing from the piece. The exhibit featured a goldfish bowl with a goldfish partly emerging, situated next to a painting portraying the open sea, where another goldfish appeared to jump from the bowl into the waves. The piece is a metaphor, with the sea representing the ocean, and the goldfish representing another kind of fish. Deep.
A circulating video on Russian social media captured the security guard’s curious approach to the “Goldfish Bowl” artwork. In the footage, the guard is seen tugging at the two fish, forcefully pulling the painting with one hand while holding the goldfish with the other until it detaches. Astonishingly, he proceeds to smell and attempt to bite into the artificial fish. Animal rights activists were happy to find out that it was not a real goldfish, and the security guard was disappointed to find out it was not a Pepperidge Farm goldfish. One unexpected result of the video is that the phrase “tugging at the two fish” has gone viral in Russia as a description of a new sexual position.
When confronted about his behavior, the guard explained that a sleepless night had left him tired and unaware of his actions. That excuse might have worked when his wife caught him cheating, but it didn’t work with the exhibition organizers who promptly suspended him from his position. Of course, if it was a real Banksy, he would have been fired. In response, the organizers have assured the public that the damaged art piece would be restored to its original state. The restoration process is expected to be completed with some Elmer’s glue. After all, it’s just a fake Banksy.
Replicas of Banksy’s work are being displayed in Russia, despite the artist’s political objections. Banksy’s attempts to remain apolitical are challenging, especially with an unauthorized exhibition in a country he opposes. Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Banksy has raised awareness and funds for the Ukrainian people, with a recent charity auction being targeted by cyber-attacks from Russian IP addresses. However, some say the best way for Banksy to fight Russia is to flood their food supply with more artificial fish.