|
|
 |
| |
The alien tiles on the walls of buildings in Carlisle Street |
Grout of this world?
Other worldly French artist Space Invader decorates Soho buildings with alien tile designs
PEOPLE of Soho, we are under attack. An alien lifeform is in our midst.
But before you reach for your Ray-Bans or send out an intergalactic SOS for Sigourney Weaver and her cat, be assured, in this case resistance is not futile. These space invaders are friendly.
The mosaic Martian men are inanimate and firmly stuck to the walls, nestled in nooks and crannies above the gaze of CCTV.
So far there have been sightings in Frith Street, Dean Street, Charing Cross Road and Carlisle Street.
Inspired by the 1970s arcade game by the same name, now a retro classic among computer game afficionados, the extraterrestrial works have become a hit with fans of guerilla art, spawning a mini gold-rush to seek out the next invader. Measuring just 20cm wide and the same height, they are easy to miss.
Admiring one of the pieces, art student Stacey Williams, 22, said: “I think they’re amazing. I like it how you don’t immediately notice them. I must have walked past this one [on the corner of Carlisle Street and Soho Square] a million times and never noticed it. It’s like they’re watching everyone. It’s not really graffiti so I hope they leave them up.”
So who’s behind the mysterious murals? Well it’s not an extraterrestrial. Rather, a Parisian street artist who goes by the somewhat unimaginative soubriquet “Space Invader”. Like his better-known contemporary Banksy, Space Invader, is a tad camera shy, but in the past has claimed that he graduated from a professional tiling school on Mars. And, like Banksy, his work commands otherworldly price tags, with some fetching as much as £10,000. He has gained a legion of fans across the globe, with alien colonies prospering in America, Germany, Spain and even Nepal.
As to what it all means, or whether it’s actually any good, the jury is out. But Space Invader has forced Sohoites to revisit the age old debate: Is it art?
In Westminster, unlike many other local authorities, graffiti artists like Banksy aren’t afforded any special treatment. They are whitewashed like any street vandal.
While Westminster Council says that, in theory, Space Invader amounts to graffiti, because they have not received any complaints, and the murals adorn private buildings, they will probably survive the starship trooper treatment from the street-cleaning team.
Councillor Robert Davis, deputy leader of Westminster City Council, said: “Anybody who defaces walls, be it with a spray can or any other method, obviously has scant regard for other people’s property. We have a rich architectural heritage in Westminster so we do have to draw the line somewhere in order to protect it and the rules apply to all equally, regardless of whether they are a recognised artist or a teenager with a spray can. We are currently compiling a record of this tiled graffiti and taking steps to seek its removal unless the property owners have obtained the necessary planning consents.” |
 |
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
