Graffiti artist hoaxer strikes again in Nottingham
A GRAFFITI artist has called into question Nottingham's love for the legend Robin Hood.
A silhouette of Robin Hood, complete with a walking stick, has appeared just yards away from the statue in his honour near Nottingham Castle.
The artist has also penned a poem inspired by the closure of The Tales of Robin Hood tourist attraction.
Both have appeared on the side and front of a building next to the Lace Centre, in Castle Gate.
The artist behind the graffiti is claiming to be 'Questionmarc' –- the same person who last month put up official-looking signs in Nottingham stating that public urination was permitted.
On a dedicated website, called www.questionmarc.co.uk, the artist explained the reasoning for the latest stunt.
Questionmarc, who is thought to be a woman, said: "Visit Nottingham where you can look at a castle that's not really a castle, stand outside museums that shut down years ago and have your picture taken with a broken statue of Robin Hood."
The poem, entitled 'Robin Who?' reads: "Nottingham, Nottingham how we love thee.
The land of legends and mystery.
But the pilgrims here have nothing to see.
No Robin Hood and nowhere to pee."
The website also show pictures of last month's public urination sign prank.
In a recorded message to the Evening Post, Questionmarc, warned that she "will be back".
She said the signs – which appeared around the city before Christmas – were a reminder that there were so many pubs in Nottingham but no toilets after closing time. She also called into question the use of longer licensing hours.
The signs which were put up last month displayed a male toilet logo with text saying "Public urination permitted after 7.30pm."
They were accompanied by an official-looking, laminated letter in Nottingham City Council-headed paper which claimed the urination points were an "attempt to reduce late-night nuisance during the holiday period" and "address the growing problem of householders having to clean up after late-night revellers."
Nottingham City Council warned it was an offence to urinate in public.
bryan.henesey@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
27 Comments
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by Lou, Nottingham
Thursday, January 22 2009, 10:05PM
“Absolutely love it! Even tho its not Bansky by a mile. This is Art with a message unlike the tag graffiti "artists".”
by The Equaliser, Pastures New
Thursday, January 22 2009, 7:45PM
“It might be termed 'criminal damage' and so it would be if the council took action against the perpetrators. However, this case seems to be a protest. Perhaps Jon Collins and his smug band of present day outlaws would do well to listen to protest.
The way many people feel about being marginalized and having parasites in high places bleed them dry through charges and penalties could progress to open revolt.
Then the bills for cleaning up would grow out of all proportion.
Does the Council's insurance cover rioting.
The cost of rebuilding the Council House would come to a pretty sum!
Only a thought . . . .”
by Dan, Nottingham
Thursday, January 22 2009, 5:33PM
“I usually protest wholeheartedly against graffiti, especially the untalented, lowlife 'taggers' whose attempts at 'art' really are nothing short of pathetic. However, both of these pranks carried out by Questionmarc are awesome and this person is fast becoming a Nottingham legend! We have no public toilets... apart from one down a tiny alley which hardly anyone can find... and now the Tales has shut down, we have nothing related to Robin Hodd... the Council can't even be bothered to repair the statue! This is not mindless graffiti but an admirable and intelligent way of protesting against our pathetic Council! Far better than the gaudy Nazi-esque propaganda banners which litter our city in the Jon Collins era.”
by daleabb, nottingham
Thursday, January 22 2009, 4:43PM
“I think robin looks quite good like the walking stick, lets have more,,
as regards the cost of removal
How much does it cost to remove all john collins graffiti ?”
by soo, arnold
Thursday, January 22 2009, 4:03PM
“Oh dear ! what a boring lot some of you Notties and Burbs are "CRIMINAL DAMAGE " "SHE ...AS IN PEE "(blokes have less control than women on average for peeing in public ...is a stat ... see I can do boring too) LIGHTEN UP it's great .....should u tube it MR or Mrs artist I totally agree on both and all points you made and had a laugh as no lasting serious damage was done ........ unlike the vandal stone masons in the square LOL (and Tourists do)”
by Ooo, Ng
Thursday, January 22 2009, 2:00PM
“Actually I wouldn't mind my tax money going on something like this, than going to some low life scum who can't be bothered to get out of bed in the morning or someone claiming benifits because they have found a bone in their body! Keeeeeeeeeeeeep spraying baaaaaaaaaaaaabbbbbbbbbbyyyyyyyyy”
by Andy, Long Eaton
Thursday, January 22 2009, 1:44PM
“This person loves Nottingham and is showing what a waste the top brass are at doing something the city blindingly obviously needs. The toilet issue has been around for ages because they dont make a profit and the council dont want to be bothered with maintaining them. Then blandly say public urination is an offence without offering a soloution(once i read that they said people could use pub toilets but landlords dont want people just going in and using toilets and will throw people out if they think thats what there doing). Paper pushers hiding behind regulations because they have no imagination or get up and go. The protest has to be made - much as i hate graffiti - because going through the official channels wont achieve anything as the top lot are to busy playing politcs and avoiding real issues. Keep up the protest till the council come to there senses and take action.”
by Andy, Long Eaton
Thursday, January 22 2009, 1:43PM
“This person loves Nottingham and is showing what a waste the top brass are at doing something the city blindingly obviously needs. The toilet issue has been around for ages because they dont make a profit and the council dont want to be bothered with maintaining them. Then blandly say public urination is an offence without offering a soloution(once i read that they said people could use pub toilets but landlords dont want people just going in and using toilets and will throw people out if they think thats what there doing). Paper pushers hiding behind regulations because they have no imagination or get up and go. The protest has to be made - much as i hate graffiti - because going through the official channels wont achieve anything as the top lot are to busy playing politcs and avoiding real issues. Keep up the protest till the council come to there senses and take action.”
by Andy Jamieson, Long Eaton
Thursday, January 22 2009, 1:42PM
“This person loves Nottingham and is showing what a waste the top brass are at doing something the city blindingly obviously needs. The toilet issue has been around for ages because they dont make a profit and the council dont want to be bothered with maintaining them. Then blandly say public urination is an offence without offering a soloution(once i read that they said people could use pub toilets but landlords dont want people just going in and using toilets and will throw people out if they think thats what there doing). Paper pushers hiding behind regulations because they have no imagination or get up and go. The protest has to be made - much as i hate graffiti - because going through the official channels wont achieve anything as the top lot are to busy playing politcs and avoiding real issues. Keep up the protest till the council come to there senses and take action.”
by H1, London
Thursday, January 22 2009, 1:08PM
“Daz I conceded it should not happen becuase it's grafitti (opening line).
But it's a totally different subject classifying grafitti. I believe grafitti is art - if you have permission and many grafitti artists do (under Lady Bay Bridge) But I do reason and and think tagging (another form of grafitti) is criminal damage. This is criminal damge but so is peeing in the street - possibly even worse - offenders register.....”