Purple Diary
[November 4 2011]
BANKSY’S MONOPOLY AT SAINT PAUL’S CATHEDRAL FOR THE OCCUPY LONDON STOCK EXCHANGE
In a symbolic gesture of support for the Occupy London Stock Exchange movement, a giant monopoly has taken centre stage in front of Saint Paul’s Cathedral. Installed by a group of mediators, the author is said to be the enigmatic British street artist Banksy. Nearly a week ago the game board was still blank, erected amongst the demonstrators’ tent city. Progressively the squares have been filled by protesters and passers-by alike, creating a transformative and democratic work. Landmark stops include Tahrir Square, Spain, Wall Street, Germany, Greece, Italy, and Finsbury Square with scrawled phrases such as “It all goes back in the box”, “Slaved life” and “Clean up Bankers” punctuating the board. Originally conceived as the ‘Landlord’s game’ by a Quaker to instruct on greed, the concept was eventually exploited by corporation as a game celebrating capitalism. In wake of the mass Occupy movements spreading across the world, it only seems fitting that it is an artist as notorious as Banksy to reclaim Monopoly with the People in an expression of political resistance. Photo and text Sophie Pinchetti
