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Another New Banksy? Get Reel

By David Topping

20100511fauxreel-not-banksy.jpg
Photo by Nick Kozak/Torontoist.


Since we published a set of seven new street art pieces we believe were done by Banksy, we’ve gotten a few emails about another piece on Adelaide Street West between John and Simcoe streets. The piece, we heard—and tried to see, through grainy cellphone-shot photos—starred a (fake) plumber working hard on (real) pipes with a (fake) wrench. The piece does exists, and it is clever. It’s just not a Banksy.
Rather, the plumber is the work of Dan Bergeron—Fauxreel—whose wheatpastes have been dotting the city for years now. (His stunning Regent Park portraits remain among our favourite pieces ever, anywhere.) The style’s unmistakeably his: the piece is all-gray (check), wheatpasted rather than spray-painted (check), and features a life-size person (check) interacting with the physical environment around where they were installed (check). Bergeron confirmed to Torontoist on Monday night that the work is his; it went up a few weeks ago. Some consolation, then, for locals who thought they found a new Banksy—Toronto’s got a few good artists of our own.
Thanks to Lee Chapman, Colleen Arsenault, Arianna Rath, Ray Lam, and everyone else who sent this to us.

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Comments

  • http://undefined rek

    Fauxreel’s wheatpastes are generally higher quality and more detailed than anything Banksy does.
    (But is it street art, or a stealth ad for Mark’s Work Warehouse?)

  • http://undefined TODavid

    Rek I am not sure how you relate this to an ad for marks work ware house? or any place/brand?..in fact isnt one of the main concepts of some street art (neckface and other taggers excluded) actually about engaging the viewer into their own discussions with the surroundings? I mean when you see a Dan Flavin Sculpture do you think GE lightbulbs? Do you discount Phil Frost or Jeff Koons work because of his association with brands and advertisers ( I am not a fan of koons but for other reasons)…for this piece I see a clever engagement between environment and subject…

  • rek

    I was making an oblique reference to his Vespa ad campaign work, that’s all.

  • http://undefined Show&Tell

    You can keep up with Dan’s street art on his flickr page.
    He will also be a part of a group exhibition at MOCCA this summer, and will be having his first commercial gallery show at Show & Tell Gallery in September.

  • http://undefined Show&Tell

    You can keep up with Dan’s street art on his flickr page.
    He will also be a part of a group exhibition at MOCCA this summer, and will be having his first commercial gallery show at Show & Tell Gallery in September.

  • http://undefined Show&Tell

    You can keep up with Dan’s street art on his flickr page.
    He will also be a part of a group exhibition at MOCCA this summer, and will be having his first commercial gallery show at Show & Tell Gallery in September.

  • http://undefined Show&Tell

    You can keep up with Dan’s street art on his flickr page.
    He will also be a part of a group exhibition at MOCCA this summer, and will be having his first commercial gallery show at Show & Tell Gallery in September.

  • http://undefined Show&Tell

    You can keep up with Dan’s street art on his flickr page.
    He will also be a part of a group exhibition at MOCCA this summer, and will be having his first commercial gallery show at Show & Tell Gallery in September.

  • http://undefined Show&Tell

    You can keep up with Dan’s street art on his flickr page.
    He will also be a part of a group exhibition at MOCCA this summer, and will be having his first commercial gallery show at Show & Tell Gallery in September.

  • http://undefined TODavid

    Yes I know you were making an underhanded/not straight forward comment about the vespa work..which was the reason I signed up for this forum and respond. Given the artists vast portfolio your comment appeared like you said to be obligue. Given the artists full portfolio of work, his influence on many street artists (Gaia, and others) I think I can appreciate each piece as it is. And lets say it was an advertisement does it reduce the art? is Phil Frost any less of a talent for his ad work? I think as Torontians we tend to find it easier to claw away, or be passive aggressive in our comments to our artists then to throw our support behind them and recognize thier talents…

  • http://undefined rek

    “underhanded”
    There was nothing dishonest about my comment. I’m not sure why you’re reacting this way. I suggest you pay more attention to the first part of my post, then note the end punctuation on the last part.

  • http://undefined TODavid

    Rek..no personal offence meant, however you choose the word obligue, which from my sources means : not straightforward : INDIRECT; also : OBSCURE b : DEVIOUS, UNDERHANDED. So I just expanded on why you would choose such a word..I also think the last part of your comment when presented does take a shot at the art and artist and nullifys your first comment..however we will always have our own opinions. Be well.

  • http://undefined baal

    I wouldn’t give Bergeron too much credit. Not only is he a venal douxhe, as evidenced by his Vespa campaign, he profits from the misfortunes of others, as his predatory homeless pastes indicate.

  • http://undefined TODavid

    Funny how we can look past some artists commercial involvements (for shep has done the same thing.) I think some times when it involves a local artist we find it easier to condemn then support…His storefront work took advantage of no one..his billboard ads only mocked bush and trump…but yes I can see how that is “profiting from the misfortunes of others”.

  • http://undefined baal

    Nice sidestep TODavid. You completely avoided addressing his ‘homeless’ pastes which are the ones I mentioned in my post above. I’m quite certain that none of his subjects were paid a cent and I’m also quite certain that he made money from this project. Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with turning a profit, however, when your subjects are destitute and you are receiving grant money to put up posters of their images, you would think that someone who positions himself as socially sensitive as this artist does would give his subjects a portion of his grant money. After all, he wouldn’t of had a ‘project’ without them. But then again, can you really find cheaper models than homeless people or those that live in subsidized housing? What a way to make a buck!

  • http://undefined TODavid

    Baal. I enjoy our conversation. I honestly dont know if he made money or not on the homeless series…but then again I dont know if the subject matters did benefit more by having thier images shown and having the general public more aware and sensitive to them as well..to be viewed as people and in general to be treated with a sense of respect. I honestly dont know the economics of grants etc and if they exist for the artist….however as I said before I dont think he is a predator by any means based on the scope of his work..and I also dont know what dan does behind the scenes with any of his subject matters re compenstation etc. But then again I dont know if diane arbus, nan goldin, chris stain, C215 gave compensation to thier subjects either, but I dont consider them venal douches ..Bottom line to me is I rather support this artist and comment positively about him then to take a negative approach based on selected works in a complete portfolio.