I am posting this for Barry, Clare, and the RVCA staff.
The above two pieces of art were stolen from the SF RVCA store two days ago (not during the opening). They are from permanent/private collections and, without going into detail, have a great deal of sentimental value to the artists.
I don't want to go on a rant, but I'm having trouble holding back on this. To me there are only two conceivable reasons a person would do this:
1. You really really love this person's work and cannot afford it.
OR
2. You did it to make money.
The problem with #1 that it strikes me as an interesting dichotomy for one to seemingly have a large enough respect for the artist that they would risk doing something like this, yet knowingly be causing damage to the artists, gallery owners, and art scene in general. When this happens, everyone involved is much less likely to participate the next time around which is bad for us all. A knife in the back is an odd way to show love...
The problem with #2 is that naturally when fencing art you're going to
be selling it at a drastic loss while simultaneously increasing your
chances of being caught trying to do so. If we were talking about
something you stole from the Louvre - yes, maybe I can understand that
may be a risk worth taking for some people who stand to gain a few
million out of it; but in all honesty what do you stand to make out of
this deal, a couple hundred dollars? Not many buyers are willing to
obtain knowingly stolen art by these artists.
If you have any information about this, or means of having the artwork
returned - there will be absolutely no questions asked and no legal
efforts made to follow up on you or any involved parties. They just
want the pieces back. You may contact me privately
(art@unaesthetic.net), any of the RVCA staff (415-701-7822), or set up
an anonymous third party to communicate through.
peace.
heyru18yet, americanplayboy, sea kay, and 3 other people added this photo to their favorites.
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TRUE 2 DEATH 61 months ago | reply
Whack!
We all would love to own some of their artwork, but this is just sucks.
I have posted this info in one of the two Barry McGee groups on FLICKR.
avert posted the info in the other group.
flickr.com/groups/barrymcgee/discuss/72157605851883264/
navin J photos 61 months ago | reply
very lame and sad
sketchypad 61 months ago | reply
That really sucks. I'll get the word out about that on www.sketchypad.com
hustler of culture 61 months ago | reply
I reposted for you on Hustler of Culture. I hope the work is returned!
THEFLOPBOXXX 61 months ago | reply
barry's shit has been getting stolen forever....this is just one of the hundreds of times....People used to steal his bottles all the time at his old art shows...
Megan Z 61 months ago | reply
Thanks for posting this Chris. I hope the peices get found. Whether it be reason #1 or #2, the benefit to the person who stole these pieces is not worth the damage that is done to an employee who may lose their job over this. Bummer time town.
unaesthetic 61 months ago | reply
i know - i was at a show of theirs in the late ninetys in nyc where bottles were clearly removed from the installation. i don't think that's ok, but it's also pretty different from this. i'm also aware there's a small argument to be made for barry's past shows that have dealt with racking and other illegal activity - yet that's an entirely different conversation which i don't plan on getting into here.
however, these are different from the bottles and other more "mass" produced items they've done in the past. both pieces have to do with people who are no longer with us - they weren't for sale and are irreplaceable.
unaesthetic 61 months ago | reply
PS thanks to everyone reposing
☆ peat ☆ 61 months ago | reply
wow people suck sometimes!
! ramblinworker 61 months ago | reply
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jT0zmvmElJU
libbynicholaou 61 months ago | reply
Wow, that's not right.
FixedShitUp 60 months ago | reply
c**ts!
heather_wilcoxon 60 months ago | reply
I had a painting stolen once. Plus I had two of my works slashed with a knife. Is strange feeling.
KING#1 60 months ago | reply
did it make you think about how you had probably fucked with some one and just getting back what you deserved?
public gothic [deleted] 56 months ago | reply
That is the nature of the beast..
unaesthetic 56 months ago | reply
you last two can both catch a bad one.
slowwalkingtrees 50 months ago | reply
i stole it
Night Owl Masive 45 months ago | reply
Bahahahaha someone was slippin
The Modern Spirit 40 months ago | reply
Just imagine how original and clever that person feels knowing they stole it.
Skylar Woodman 26 months ago | reply
I'm sorry it happened. I'm sure you'll never see these again.