Gawker: Bucky Turco

We Still Feel Good About Ourselves

Hamilton Nolan — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:57:51 EDT

Yesterday we noted that even though the American media is the grand imperial bloodsucker of our nation's soul, that's okay; at least we don't immediately do bikini shoots on the scene of our latest national disasters. Like the media in China does. In a counterpoint, Animal's Bucky Turco argues that the Chinese government's censorship of the media in the wake of said photos was actually worse than the photos themselves—a couple of which he has posted on his site. Since we have posted only a heartrending photo of homeless young victims, we're better than him. So whatever. [Animal, Previously, Donate to Earthquake Relief]

Banksy Unmasked?

Hamilton Nolan — Fri, 09 May 2008 14:59:24 EDT

Banksy: millionaire street artist, fierce cultural critic, celebrity darling of the art world. The man's prestige has been immeasurably enhanced by his anonymity. He insists on it, and it gives him an air of mystery that only increases his allure to the media, fans, and collectors alike. An alleged photo of him was widely circulated last year, but it certainly didn't result in his real name being printed in his omnipresent media coverage. Those in his inner circle insist on strict concealment of his identity. Theories, of course, abound. But today, Bucky Turco at Animal NY believes he's stumbled upon Banksy's true identity. Combined with some corroborating evidence we got ourselves, the case is plausible—though far from proven. Now this would be big news:

This morning, we got a tip about a sighting of Banksy painting on the side of Thunder Jacksons in NYC. Bucky Turco went and took pictures of the work. Shortly afterwards, Gothamist and others proclaimed that the piece was in fact by Nick Walker(pictured)—another well known stencil artist from Bristol, England.

Well.

The piece at Thunder Jacksons is by Nick Walker. You can see the theme in his own photos on Flickr. Our own original tipster wrote in to say, "I stand corrected. It wasn't Banksy - it was Nick Walker...the pics of the artwork show a signature that happens to be Nick Walker's. Youtube has some videos of Nick Walker working and he is the guy who was at TJ's last night."

But, asked for more information, the same tipster added this: "While he was outside doing his stencil sombody asked if he was banksy and he said he was."

Nick Walker said he was Banksy. [This is also corroborated by Gawker commenter chickenjungle, a.k.a. Abbe Diaz, here. She says she was at Thunder Jacksons last night and heard Walker say the same thing]. With that in mind, allow us to quote liberally from Bucky Turco's just-posted item at Animal NY:

According to a waitress at the newly stenciled Thunder Jackson restaurant, who witnessed Banksy painting the wall last night, "the whole thing took him about 15 minutes." When asked if she was positive it was Banksy, she emphatically stated "yes," and then awkwardly added, "Banksy is Nick Walker, they are the same person. Oops, I don't think I was supposed to say that." When pressed on why Banksy would use different names, she spilled, "He uses that identity because of visa and passport issues." The waitress added that Banksy is going to make a big announcement about his identity but not while he's in town, "He has a whole master PR plan, but he's waiting till he leaves the country."

Wow. If true.

Walker is often described as a predecessor, friend, and/ or rival of Banksy, and has certainly benefited from Banksy's publicity himself. He told Bloomberg last month:

Walker said that he had got know Banksy in Bristol, western England, in the late 1990s when he was invited to be part of the ``Walls on Fire'' group of graffiti artists.
``We don't talk too much now,'' he said.

Now let's run through the case against this theory. It started with an unsolicited tip. It has only a handful of sources. Theoretically, any of them could be lying, exaggerating, or misinformed. But it's worth noting that none of them have any readily apparent reason for making any of this up. We'd be happy to hear some art experts weigh in on Nick Walker vs. Banksy from a technical angle; but the similarities in their styles are obvious and unmistakable.

So, smart people: is Nick Walker Banksy?

New NYC Banksy Piece: Confirmed?

Hamilton Nolan — Fri, 09 May 2008 12:16:24 EDT

Animal NY street chronicler Bucky Turco took the bait of our sighting this morning of the elusive British stencil artist Banksy. Bucky traipsed over to Thunder Jacksons in the West Village and captured THE FIRST PICTURES of this new Banksy piece, which have just increased the value of the building 25-fold [UPDATE: Or have they? Gothamist says this work is by Nick Walker, not Banksy. We're investigating. More to come.]. Click through for some larger pics of the three-part work, and then go over to Animal NY to read some more clues that Bucky gleaned about the artist . Journalism in action:

[Animal NY]

How To See The Pope Without A Ticket

Hamilton Nolan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:50:18 EDT

Animal blogger Bucky Turco has posted a hi-res mockup of an official ticket to see the Pope's appearance at the St. Patrick Cathedral tomorrow. Apparently someone with computer skills (Note to US Secret Service: Not us) could theoretically print this out into a reasonable facsimile of a real ticket and use it to attend the event. In related news, Bucky is "posting from an undisclosed location today," and we all wish him well and hope that he makes it to Monday a free man. Click to enlarge. [Animal NY]

Bucky Turco Back On Vallone's Case

Hamilton Nolan — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:12:13 EDT

Not only is graffiti-hating New York City Councilman Peter Vallone, Jr. a media whoring killjoy, he also doesn't know how to use the emails! In one of his office's frequent media email blasts, Vallone's flack left all the email addresses of the 100+ reporters visible. Yet another casualty of BCC ignorance. So if you want a New York journalist's contact info, Peter Vallone, Jr. has now provided it for you! [via Vallone nemesis Bucky Turco at Animal New York, which is back up and running now as promised]. And for convenience's sake, click through for a screen grab of the whole list.

The Animal Returns

Hamilton Nolan — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 17:50:34 EDT

Streetwise agitator Bucky Turco is leaving his post as blogger in chief for Complex, the Marc Ecko glossy urban shopping rag which had only one really interesting feature: its blog. Bucky says he's bringing back Animal New York, his dormant passion. Beware. [Bucky Turco]

Remainders: No Trans Phats Allowed

Doree Shafrir — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 17:32:18 EST

Animal NY/Complex blogger Bucky Turco is being investigated for calling for peaceful demonstrations at Councilman Peter Vallone's house because of Vallone's anti-graffiti stance. [Daily Politics]
The final days of 11 Spring Street. [A Blog Soup]
Joy Behar didn't really mean to compare Rumsfeld to Hitler. Freudian slip. [FoxNews]

Buy This Magazine or We'll Ignite This Dachshund

abalk2 — Thu, 12 Oct 2006 10:00:46 EDT

So Animal impresario Bucky Turco is taking a little heat over the photo above, which was published in that magazine's Wildlife issue. Bucky, who we're sure never considered the fact that this controversial picture might bring attention to his title, has had enough: "[W]e figured we would come clean and let you all in on a little secret. It's a goddamn lighter not a gun, so stop your bitching and superfluous emails. Geez, can't you take a joke?"

Got that, dog lovers? They weren't going to shoot the poor pup. They were just going to set it on fire. World of difference.

Dachshund Pistol Under Fire [ANIMAL]

'Animal' Bags a Wild Cheney

Jesse — Wed, 15 Feb 2006 14:49:26 EST

Never one to let an opportunity for publicity go unexploited, Animal's inimitable Bucky Turco distributed a press release moments ago announcing plans to plaster this poster around the city. "With the Vice President running around shooting people in the face, what other way to be prepared then this Dick Cheney poster/shooting target," the release says. Plus, "The poster also doubles as an awareness campaign to support bill: S.304/H.R. 1688, the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005, to help crack down on the unfair and cruel practice of canned hunting."

It also goes fabulously with your Save Krucoff/Fuck Conde Nast button.

Bucky's full "semi-press release" is after the jump.

+++BREAKING+++

Semi-Press Release
NYC: 2_16_2006
2:00pm EST

With the Vice President running around shooting people in the face, what other way to be prepared then this Dick Cheney poster/shooting target.

ANIMAL will start distributing these posters/shooting targets both online and in NYC this week and urge people to throw tacks, darts, or any other sharp objects at it, anything to increase your chance of a bull's-eye.

The poster also doubles as an awareness campaign to support bill: S.304/H.R. 1688, the Sportsmanship in Hunting Act of 2005, to help crack down on the unfair and cruel practice of canned hunting. (Plus it's for pussies).

Obligatory quote: ASID founder Bucky Turco states, "Shoot this Dick, before it shoots you."

Campaign was designed by the ASID (ANIMAL SECRET INTELLIGENCE DIVISION). Team consists of Bucky Turco + Michael Weinfeld.

For any questions please call: Bucky Turco 212 660 XXXX Cell: 917 847 XXXX

We also have higher res version for print and pdf and low res versions for website + downloads.

ANIMAL
www.animalnewyork.com