Joey Skaggs, Editor - The Art of the Prank

April 5, 2007January 15, 2019

What not to do…

Update to this story:
From AAP (Australia AP) via NEWS.com.au
April 16, 2007:

Judge Leo Hart today jailed Barnett for 15 months, with 12 months suspended for 15 months.

He said it was a “bizarre” case and that Barnett had the dual aim of getting recognition for his work and sending an anti-terrorism message.

“You’re an artist and believe yourself to be a good artist,” Judge Hart said.

“You believed that you had not been given the recognition that your work deserved and you sought to rectify this.”

Judge Hart said Barnett’s motives were not malicious but his behaviour was stupid and reckless.

He ordered Barnett to pay $6319 compensation to the police.

Original post:
From AAP via The Herald Sun
April 4, 2007:

A frustrated artist who wanted recognition for his work has pleaded guilty to creating a bomb hoax outside the National Gallery of Victoria.

Colin Douglas Barnett, 46, of suburban Cranbourne North, today pleaded guilty in the Victorian County Court to one count each of creating a bomb hoax and causing a public nuisance, and two counts of making a false report to police. Continue reading “What not to do…”

April 4, 2007January 15, 2019

Banksy on the West Bank

Check out the work of artist Banksy and this video from London’s Channel 4 News about his efforts on the West Bank wall separating Israel from Palestine.

First saw this video on Hearing Test.

April 1, 2007January 15, 2019

Ta Da!

March 31, 2007January 15, 2019

The 22nd Annual April Fools’ Day Parade

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
The New York April Fools’ Committee Is Proud to Announce:
NEW YORK CITY’S 22nd ANNUAL APRIL FOOLS’ DAY PARADE

THE CIRCUS IS COMING! THE CIRCUS IS COMING!

The 22nd Annual April Fools’ Day Parade will march down Fifth Avenue, from 59th Street to Washington Square Park, beginning at 12 noon, Sunday, April 1, 2007. Continue reading “The 22nd Annual April Fools’ Day Parade”

March 31, 2007January 15, 2019

The Art of the Con: A notorious prankster uses hoaxes to expose the media

This article was published in Extra! by FAIR (Fairness & Accuracy in Reporting) in the 1999 March/April issue. Although I’ve produced many new works since then, the basic premises described below still resonate for me. This should provide a pretty good summary of the intent of my work and why I do it. I hope it also sets a positive and creative tone for this Blog. -JS

We’re living in a time when it seems everything we see on the news is a bad joke: President Clinton and impeachment, Y2K and the end of the world, Viagra raising the dead, cloning your dead pet dog.

So how can a conscientious media prankster make a mark? When reality gets this strange, pranks are needed more than ever to jolt us into reexamining our values.

With the Internet’s immediacy, its availability to anyone wishing to plant an idea, service or product for the world to consume, there’s more opportunity than ever for both pranks and scams. Anyone can send an e-mail, create a rumor on Usenet, make a website and look official with very little effort or cost.

To me the prank is fine art. Continue reading “The Art of the Con: A notorious prankster uses hoaxes to expose the media”