Latest news with #Lonestar
Time of India
an hour ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mystery artist Banksy leaves a lighthouse and a clue in Marseille, but what's he really saying?
Mystery artist turns Marseille wall into mesmerising masterpiece A plain beige wall tucked away on a quiet street in Marseille has been transformed into a viral sensation, thanks to the elusive British street artist Banksy. In a rare social media post on Friday, the anonymous artist claimed credit for a striking new mural near the city's old port, depicting a simple white lighthouse and the cryptic words, "I want to be what you saw in me. " The location — 1 Rue Félix Frégier in Marseille's 7th arrondissement, is already attracting flocks of curious tourists and devoted art fans. Many arrived within hours of Banksy's Instagram post, guided by GPS coordinates included in the caption. But the mural's magic doesn't stop at its poetic phrase. A street post standing in front of the wall creates an optical illusion, casting a shadow that aligns perfectly with the beam of the painted lighthouse, making it appear as if the lighthouse is glowing in real time. 'What you saw in me' While Banksy hasn't explained the meaning behind the emotionally charged phrase, fans online are speculating it's a lyric from "Softy," a 2001 ballad by American country group Lonestar. Others see it as a quiet reflection on perception, self-worth, or lost love, a departure from Banksy's usual political punch. Unlike his often subversive or politically loaded murals, this piece seems rooted in something more personal and poetic. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với sàn môi giới tin cậy IC Markets Tìm hiểu thêm Undo It is not believed to be a political message, though some are calling it one of his most moving works in recent years. From street to spotlight The surprise appearance of the mural comes just two weeks before a major Banksy retrospective opens in nearby Toulon on June 14. The Museum of Art will showcase 80 of his works, including rare pieces and fan favourites. Another Banksy exhibition opened on Saturday in Montpellier. Previous Banksy murals have been either cut from walls, vandalised, or sold off by property owners hoping to cash in on the artist's global fame. Despite his secrecy and refusal to be photographed or interviewed, Banksy has become a multi-million-dollar phenomenon since breaking out in the late 1990s. His blend of stencilled simplicity, emotional subtext, and timely commentary continues to resonate across generations. Marseille's newest landmark? Whether it's a love letter or a lighthouse metaphor for hope, Banksy's Marseille mural is already becoming a landmark of its own. By midday Friday, the hashtag #BanksyMarseille was trending across France and beyond, with some fans making pilgrimage-style visits just to snap a photo before it's too late. As one local said while standing in front of the mural, "It's beautiful — but it feels like it could vanish at any moment. That's Banksy."
Korea Herald
12 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Banksy unveils street shadow art
MARSEILLE, France (AP) — The lighthouse appeared overnight. Painted on a wall tucked away in a quiet Marseille street, its beam aligned perfectly with the real-life shadow of a metal post on the pavement. At its center, stenciled in crisp white, are the words: 'I want to be what you saw in me.' Banksy had struck again. The elusive British street artist confirmed the work by posting two images on his official Instagram account b without caption or coordinates. Fans quickly identified the location as 1 Rue Felix Fregier, in the Catalans district of Marseille's 7th arrondissement, near the sea. Since then, crowds have gathered at the site. Tourists snap photos. Children point. Locals who usually walk past the building stop to take a closer look. There is no official explanation for the phrase. But its emotional pull is unmistakable -- a quiet plea for recognition, love or redemption. Some speculate it references a country ballad by Lonestar. Others call it a love letter. Or a lament. Or both. The image is deceptively simple: a lone lighthouse, dark and weathered, casting a stark white beam. But what gives it power is the way it plays with light -- the real and the painted, the seen and the imagined. The post in front of the wall becomes part of the piece. Reality becomes the frame. Marseille's mayor, Benoit Payan, was quick to react online. 'Marseille x Banksy,' he wrote, adding a flame emoji. By midday, the hashtag #BanksyMarseille was trending across France, and beyond. Though often political, Banksy's art is just as often personal, exploring themes of loss, longing and identity. In recent years, his works have appeared on war-ravaged buildings in Ukraine, in support of migrants crossing the Mediterranean and on walls condemning capitalism, Brexit, and police brutality. The artist, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world's best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two male police officers kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, 'Laugh now, but one day I'll be in charge.' His work has sold for millions of dollars at auction, and past murals on outdoor sites have often been stolen or removed by building owners soon after going up. In December 2023, after Banksy stenciled military drones on a stop sign in south London, a man was photographed taking down the sign with bolt cutters. Police later arrested two men on suspicion of theft and criminal damage. In March 2024, an environmentally themed work on a wall beside a tree in north London was splashed with paint, covered with plastic sheeting and fenced off within days of being created. Despite the fame — or infamy — at least in Marseille, not everyone walking past noticed it. Some didn't even know who Banksy was, according to the local press. On Instagram observers say this Marseille piece feels quieter. More interior. And yet, it is no less global. The work arrives just ahead of a major Banksy retrospective opening June 14 at the Museum of Art in nearby Toulon featuring 80 works, including rare originals. Another exhibit opens Saturday in Montpellier. But the Marseille mural wasn't meant for a museum. It lives in the street, exposed to weather, footsteps and time. As of Friday evening, no barriers had been erected. No glass shield installed. Just a shadow, a beam and a message that's already circling the world.
New York Post
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Banksy mural appears in France with cryptic message
The lighthouse appeared overnight. Painted on a wall tucked away in a quiet Marseille street, its beam aligned perfectly with the real-life shadow of a metal post on the pavement. At its center, stenciled in crisp white, are the words: 'I want to be what you saw in me.' Banksy had struck again. On Friday, the elusive British street artist confirmed the work by posting two images on his official Instagram account, without a caption or coordinates. Fans quickly identified the location as 1 Rue Félix Frégier, in the Catalans district of Marseille's 7th arrondissement, near the sea. 5 Painted on a wall tucked away in a quiet Marseille street, its beam aligned perfectly with the real-life shadow of a metal post on the pavement. AFP via Getty Images Since then, crowds have gathered at the site. Tourists snap photos. Children point. Locals who usually walk past the building stop to take a closer look. There is no official explanation for the phrase. But its emotional pull is unmistakable — a quiet plea for recognition, love, or redemption. Some speculate it references a country ballad by Lonestar. Others call it a love letter. Or a lament. Or both. The image is deceptively simple: a lone lighthouse, dark and weathered, casting a stark white beam. But what gives it power is the way it plays with light — the real and the painted, the seen and the imagined. The post in front of the wall becomes part of the piece. Reality becomes the frame. Marseille's mayor, Benoît Payan, was quick to react online. 'Marseille x Banksy,' he wrote, adding a flame emoji. By midday, the hashtag #BanksyMarseille was trending across France and beyond. 5 The image is deceptively simple: a lone lighthouse, dark and weathered, casting a stark white beam. Getty Images Though often political, Banksy's art is just as often personal, exploring themes of loss, longing, and identity. In recent years, his works have appeared on war-ravaged buildings in Ukraine, in support of migrants crossing the Mediterranean, and on walls condemning capitalism, Brexit, and police brutality. The artist, who has never confirmed his full identity, began his career spray-painting buildings in Bristol, England, and has become one of the world's best-known artists. His mischievous and often satirical images include two male police officers kissing, armed riot police with yellow smiley faces, and a chimpanzee with a sign bearing the words, 'Laugh now, but one day I'll be in charge.' 5 A man makes a selfie by an artwork by street artist Banksy, Friday, May 30, 2025, in Marseille, southern France. AP His work has sold for millions of dollars at auction, and past murals on outdoor sites have often been stolen or removed by building owners soon after going up. In December 2023, after Banksy stenciled military drones on a stop sign in south London, a man was photographed taking down the sign with bolt cutters. Police later arrested two men on suspicion of theft and criminal damage. In March 2024, an environmentally themed work on a wall beside a tree in north London was splashed with paint, covered with plastic sheeting, and fenced off within days of being created. 5 On Instagram, observers say this Marseille piece feels quieter. More interior. AP Despite the fame—or infamy, at least in Marseille, not everyone walking past noticed it. Some didn't even know who Banksy was, according to the local press. On Instagram, observers say this Marseille piece feels quieter. More interior. And yet, it is no less global. The work arrives just ahead of a major Banksy retrospective opening June 14 at the Museum of Art in nearby Toulon, featuring 80 works, including rare originals. 5 The work arrives just ahead of a major Banksy retrospective opening June 14 at the Museum of Art in nearby Toulon, featuring 80 works, including rare originals. Another exhibit opens Saturday in Montpellier. But the Marseille mural wasn't meant for a museum. It lives in the street, exposed to weather, footsteps, and time. As of Friday evening, no barriers had been erected. No glass shield installed. Just a shadow, a beam, and a message that's already circling the world.
The Independent
a day ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Internet sleuths figure out new Banksy location
Banksy has unveiled a new black and white stencil graffiti in Marseille, France, depicting a lighthouse rising from the shadow of a bollard, accompanied by the caption: 'I want to be what you saw in me.' Internet sleuths quickly identified the artwork's location on Rue Félix Freiger, near the coast and city centre of Marseille, a city known for its street art. The quote on the mural may be inspired by a lyric from the Lonestar song 'Softly': 'I want to be what you see in me. I want to love you the way that you love me.' MyArtBroker suggests the location is significant, noting Marseille's history as a multicultural port city with a social fabric that resonates with Banksy's interest in marginalised voices. This artwork follows Banksy's previous installations, including animal-themed works across London and an image of a Madonna with baby Jesus and a bullet hole.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Independent
New Banksy location revealed following speculation
Banksy's latest piece of artwork has been unveiled - and internet sleuths were quick to establish its location. The black and white stencil graffiti depicts a lighthouse with light beaming from its tower, with the caption: 'I want to be what you saw in me.' The lighthouse rises from the shadow of a bollard which it stands next to. Banksy posted the artwork on his Instagram on Thursday with two photos, one showing just the artwork and another with two people walking their dogs. Many online were quick to identify the location of the artwork as Marseille, the southern French city which is renowned for its street art. The mural is situated on Rue Félix Freiger, a road near the coast and the town's city centre. The quote on the wall may have been inspired by a song by Tennessee-based country band Lonestar, called 'Softly', which features the lyric: 'I want to be what you see in me. I want to love you the way that you love me.' London-based art dealer MyArtBroker wrote on its website: 'The location of the mural is unlikely to be incidental. Marseille – France's oldest port and among its most multicultural cities – has long been a point of arrival and transition. 'Its neighbourhoods, from Le Panier to Belle de Mai, are marked by layers of street art and histories shaped by working-class resilience and immigrant communities. The city's social fabric resonates with Banksy's ongoing interest in marginalised voices and overlooked narratives.' The Bristol graffiti artist has seen his works fetch millions at auction, and led to speculation over his identity. Last year, a variety of animal-themed Banksy works, including a rhino seemingly mounting a silver Nissan Micra, two elephant silhouettes with their trunks stretched out towards each other, and three monkeys that looked as though they were swinging on a bridge, were found dotted across London. Since putting one up of a gorilla lifting the shutter at London Zoo, Banksy has also posted another image, of a Madonna with baby Jesus and what looks like a bullet hole. The lighthouse is his latest image.
