Banksy Creates Physical Crypto-Kitties

From Alphaville's executive chef, Izabella Kaminska:

Banksy banks on HODLers

He’s anonymous. He’s contrarian. And ultimately, he’s a troublemaker. Just like Alphaville.
What’s not to like when it comes to Banksy?

His contempt for all things institutional is admirable. His ability to find beauty in the ugly is profound. And who isn’t continuously amused by his subtle digs against the very establishment he emanates from?

But what to make of grossdomesticproduct.com, the Banksy shop?

The obvious take is that it’s a cynical take on modern online consumer culture. A critique of a system that can’t help but worship at the altar of fairytales of eternal economic growth. A thoughtful put-down of the T&C loaded legalese that underpins all modern consumer transactions and which, more often than not, screws over the very same consumers whenever possible.
We get that too. It’s edgy. And cool.

As is the idea of making Banksy art affordable for the average everyday art appreciator.
But, man. There’s some shady ICO-style public offering peddling in operation here. Which, we appreciate, is perhaps the point. Part of the gag. But then again, maybe it’s not?

All we know is our entirely normal group of friends and relations was beset by “every man for himself FOMO” last night while strategising the best way to bag a Banksy for their household. All with the expectation that the price will only go up. There’s a comedy sketch based on this alone. Right?
So how does it work?

Banksy has put online a number of pieces of varying availability. The rarer ones -- just like crypto assets -- are strictly limited. Interested buyers have been invited to register their interest. But there’s no obligation on either side. Registration won’t guarantee being among those chosen to purchase items. And being chosen won’t obligate anyone to actually buy an item. How customers are chosen is purportedly at random. Although, a vetting process is also being applied to filter out the worthy from the unworthy.....MUCH MORE

For more on our adventures in CryptoKitties see:
CryptoKitty Trading Volume Collapses: Andreessen, Union Square and Climateer Hurt Worst
which has quite a few of our posts including the profoundly instructional:
"How we made $100K trading CryptoKitties" 
Not us, we're HODLers, this guy:...

On the other had, if your frame of reference is Beanie Babies see "Sotheby's: "Not Every Artwork Is A Masterpiece" plus the FT's Izabella Kaminska. Oh, and Beanie Babies" which includes this handy valuation-over-time chart from the Girl With Glasses website:

We'll give Andy Warhol the (almost) last word. From:
Commercialism As The Last 'ism' in Art:..."

“Making money is art, and working is art and good business is the best art.”

-Andy Warhol

I stole the 'ism' line from dealer Michael Finley's 2012 book The Value of Art.
Just as Duveen hit one of his dealing career high points with Gainsborough's 'Blue Boy' Finley can lay claim to putting together the deal that transferred van Gogh's Portrait of Dr. Gachet....

At least I'll always have my CryptoKitties. Besides being cute as can be, I was told:
CryptoKitties Sales Hit $12 Million, Could be Ethereum’s Killer App After All