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An Exclusive Guide To Banksy's NYC Team
21 photos
<p>Click through to meet the cast of characters that are working for Banksy during his <a href="http://banksy.co.uk/">Better Out Than In</a> residency in New York this month.</p>
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RosarioFirst spotted 10/5/13. East Village, alongside and driving the waterfall truck, when the battery died. The name "Rosario" is on his uniform. Has appeared multiple times with the truck.
Photos by emilypier and Nic Garcia
Nickname: Jared LetoFirst spotted on the waterfall truck. Nic Garcia tells us, "This is one of the two guys driving the garden truck (it is not Rosario). He's thin, short beard, straight brown hair, mid length. Barely over 30 if that. The closest, most descriptive nickname I can give this guy is Jared Leto."
Photo by Nic Garcia
Mr. Fancy PantsFirst spotted 10/5/13. East Village, alongside the waterfall truck, when the battery died.
Joe the FarmerFirst spotted 10/10/13. Cobble Hill, Brooklyn, Driving Sirens of the Lambs truck. Joe told us, "I don't really know much, I'm just a driver, a delivery guy. I'm just here delivering meat. Farm fresh meat."
The HandFirst spotted 10/12/13. Meatpacking District, inside of the Sirens of the Lamb truck. Creepy.
Central Park VendorFirst spotted 10/12/13. Central Park South, selling $60 "spray art." Enjoys giving hugs.
Shine BoyFirst spotted on 10/14/13 in Williamsburg. Officially debuted 10/16/13 in the South Bronx, with Ronald McDonald.Will only say: "I don't speak English."
Big RedFirst spotted 10/16/13 in the South Bronx, with Ronald McDonald. Later spotted photographing the scene on Arthur Avenue.Update: On October 26th, Big Red donned a blonde wig!
Photos by Nic Garcia/Gothamist
Steve Zissou-skyFirst spotted 10/17/13. South Bronx, Ronald McDonald assist.
Mystery ManFirst spotted 10/14/13 in Williamsburg. Came out of nowhere to help move the Ronald McDonald's statue. Is this Steve Zissou-sy from the Bronx appearance? Or is it Banksy himself?This man was also spotted at the Woodside piece taking photos.
Mystery Men (also part of the Men In Black)First spotted 10/16/13 in Red Hook at a warehouse Banksy was storing his vehicles at. At least one man spoke in a British accent, though when approached "They didn't wanna talk... just said they don't know anything. This was taken mid-way through his residency, when his Red Hook warehouse was uncovered (he likely relocated within 24 hours). This was video shot on the scene the evening it was discovered, as the waterfall truck was pulling out of the lot... by Rosario.(Photo by @DjJonHenry)
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Banksy?First spotted 10/16/13 in Red Hook at a warehouse Banksy was storing his vehicles at. He looks very similar to the man in the alleged Banksy photo from 2008. Update: We're told this is Michael Maccini, Wes Craven's former son-in-law. Which is even more intriguing!
Banksy?First spotted weekend of 10/12 in Central Park. We wonder if he was recreating the other times he's had his portrait drawn while donning a mask in New York.
Banksy InsiderFirst spotted weekend of 10/6 at the waterfall truck. A tipster sent along this series of photos, telling us, "It is my understanding this is the only real Banksy insider to be caught at an event/site. All the people in uniforms have been local hires and the girls photographing and documenting the [waterfall truck] event that night at St. Marks were British but not recognized as part of Banksy's group. After the girls got footage they would look it over with him."
The GuardsFirst spotted Friday, October 18th, guarding Banksy's collaborative pieces with Os Gemeos on West 24th Street. While one guard told us t"I have no answer for you" when we asked questions (standard Banksy protocol), another (Irvin from Williamsburg) told us they were "hired by the security company contracted by the artist," adding that there are three of them on staff, and many more on call. He told us, "We are prepared for any vandalism attempts."
Shine Boy IIFirst spotted on 10/21/13, one week after Ronald's debut. He's been popping up all over town with Ronald, and almost got ticketed by the NYPD. Some Gothamist staffers think he's "overly dramatic," there's "too much scenery-chewing!" Others are just concerned: "I wonder if Banksy's insurance policy will cover Shine Boy when he gets hepatitis from all his barefoot snuggling with the city street."
Men In BlackOn the 24th, someone captured crew members hopping out of the Sirens of the Lambs truck: "Soon as they saw me filming they scattered in different directions. This was on the Upper West Side of NYC.":The Men In Black are the most mysterious of Banksy's crew, as some seem to be more closely involved with operations, as opposed to hired guns and actors.We're told the guy on the top right is likely Michael Maccini, Wes Craven's former son-in-law... in other words: Not Banksy.
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The Ol' BanksterPrior to the Grim Reaper Oyster Cult Party starting on October 25th, some Men In Black showed up at the site. A tipster sent us this video, saying, "The man seen unlocking the gate and then directing things inside definitely bears some resemblance to the photos of Robin Gunningham/Banksy. He was gone by the time the tarps came down." We've heard that Banksy is wearing a disguise, which... obviously. So this could be him, or just his right hand man. We've seen this guy at other sites, too, at the Woodside one taking photos of the piece before it was tagged, and while the piece was still wet. And during a Ronald McDonald trial run.But again, no one really wants to know for sure for sure who Banksy is, right? (Except maybe the NYPD.) It would just ruin the magic. But luckily, even if this were a photo of him, it's one of him in disguise, and until he actually decides to pull the curtain and speak to the public these Bigfoot shots don't really matter. It's just kind of fun to look.P.S. That's Steve Zissou-sky next to him... promoted to a Man In Black?(Photo by Scott Lynch/Gothamist)
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JuilliardWe haven't seen this guy before his appearance playing accordion at the Grim Reaper Oyster Cult Party on October 25th. Probably just some local music guy... being upstaged by Blue Oyster Cult.
Photo by Scott Lynch/Gothamist
Various RolesThe guy on the left was spotted sneaking photos from behind a pole and then running off during Ronald McDonald's trial run. Another guy who has similar features showed up playing the role of Banksy to the 24th Street installation. It's unclear if this is really the same person, and if so, if he is officially part of Team Banksy, but there are some who believe so. As this video description notes, when he approaches the paintings the guard doesn't even flinch, which could mean this was all pre-planned by the artist:
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