A little Banksy?

He could at least write whats in the cans somewhere,
You want beans, you get cat food.

I’m sure the minimum wage stock-boy who winds up disposing of this stuff when management finds it really appreciates these guys. It always amuses me that people think messing with another person’s job or day to day routine is cool when done in the name of “art.”

“shopdropping” interrupts the otherwise monotonous activity of routine consumption” ?????????

who the f u c k are you? don’t you buy food?

some people need to get over themselves. you painted a can! you’re not changing the world.

This “artist” is a tool.

I’m sure the stock boy would appreciate the art, and if not, fuck him. He’s probably not going anywhere in his life. It’s kind of interesting, there’s no reason to ever be pejorative about art.

It is absolutely digesting how this anarchist who calls himself an artist gets away with defacing property and disrupting peoples lives and jobs. This man should be in jail. I’m going to alert the authorities about this one.

Leo- WHAT??? ReallY??? Never a reason to be pejorative? so then what are art critics? Know what, never mind the critics; at what point can society say “this is stupid.” And what kind of person says that anyone doing an honest days work is the bad guy? The stock boy is not the epitome of culture that this artist is trying to counter, so why bother them? I think this “artist” should find a better way to express his opinion.
Besides, what moron would buy the can, and what checker would let it through?
Let’s just say what the artist is REALLY trying to communicate- “I wanna be famous and mysterious like Banksy”

I just love when some1 brings something inspiring to other ppls lives… many can’t focus on these kind of things, but this stuff gives a person a second or two to think about creativity that surrounds us all day… and for the food market??? good choice..wish I lived near that…
u know what??? I have had an idea for a long time that I wanted to do…in art.
tnx:)

I think it’s a cool idea and I don’t see anything wrong with it except that unfortunately most of the stuff will get tossed by a stocker. I myself work at a grocery store and I’d personally be stoked if I saw something like this at my place. Of course, I am the only one in the store who knows what pejorative means(a true fact; tested and everything), which is crazy because I just was talking about that earlier today and then I stumble this site and here are people flaming each other about some guy who goes into grocery stores and all the while you’re just bandying the word ‘pejorative’ about. Fan-fucking-tastic!

He buys food — paints the can and returns it to the shelf! Exactly how is that defacing anything?

I agree it is sad the stockers probably toss it, but they may take it home — or a customer may take it home and shelve it or open it. –

I mean the cans don’t look opened — but I have seen instructions for emptying a can so that it does not appear to be open. Then you could hide a message inside.

If you guys dont like it, then dont look at it
Ya’ll think your so cool posting about how much you dislike what this guy is doing. Guess what, He doesn’t care! Let the guy do what he wants. ^_^ So how about you keep your negitivity to your selves and go look at some porn? Kthxbai!

Stumble FTW!

I think its a unique way of shaking up ordinary routine. I don’t think he’s attaining some lofty ideal, and if he is, I look past it anyway. Give the man some credit for trying something new and interesting and don’t make presumptions that the guy is being pretentious, its not really hurting anyone.

“I’m sure the stock boy would appreciate the art, and if not, fuck him.”

this is a person who has never had to work a real job a day in his life.

When I stumbled on this website my immediate reaction was “Wow”. How great that small snippets of fun can be injected into the mundane aspects of life.
As for the shop workers, even if only one can gets taken home then someone’s life has been cheered up a bit.

I’d like to cum right in that “artist’s” mouth. Pig!

I stumbled on this, and i thought, “Wow! I would have never thought of that!” And, of course, most of you feel the need to shoot the idea down. Hey, why dont you stop being such dicks, everyone, and MAYBE then you can start to enjoy the little things in life. That guy isnt looking for a profit, hes not looking to “shock” people. He just found an AWESOME way to get his art out there. I think it is a better idea than graffiti.

Wow, I’m glad know one on here has seen my website. I appreciate this guys efforts as an artist. My art translates into retail clothing. Same Concept. I buy the material, from the store, turn it into something different, and take it to other retail stores. and hope it doesnt get taken off the shelves. LOL! People are to funny!

there are some seriously unhappy people in this world and they are taking it out on this artist. Get over it you losers. Life has so many interesting facets why not enjoy each and everyone of them. there would be no good with out the bad. This may or may not be good art but its is fun. i love it when out driving and i see red noses glued to thoes signs for deer cossing the road. Learn how to have fun you idiots. Life is too shot to carry around so much pent up anger

well negativity is a big part of art if every one liked everything anyone could be an artist i enjoyed the idea its verry creative i wish it were mine and as far as it being vandalism vandalism is defaceing someone elses property theyre his cans if anything they could get him for littering but thats it

ok, so this may not be the most thought provoking art in the world; but it is a good attempt to explore phenomenology in conjunction with consumer culture. The guy isn’t hurting anyone, the stock boy gets paid for his time no matter if he is restocking or removing this art, so calm down a bit. what are you guys doing looking at this site if you are so affected by a few cans on a shelf–or i guess that means the artist did his job, eh?

I think it’s a very creative idea, and should be fine so long as he either already purchased these items or brought them from home, which was the impression I got from reading this. Chill out

i love complaining about why things don’t work. it’s so easy.
” A little Banksy?” everything has been done before.
“You want beans, you get cat food” better than your ramen, isn’t it?
“It always amuses me that people think messing with another person’s job or day to day routine is cool when done in the name of “art.”” i’m sure they are so happy to be forced into working for minimum wage at the grocery store you’re too good to work at. a manager’s comment would be the last thing on their mind.
“some people need to get over themselves. you painted a can! you’re not changing the world.” wow- and what do you do to change the world? post it!!!
“This “artist” is a tool” a tool for what exactly?
“I think this “artist” should find a better way to express his opinion” what is his opinion? better yet, what is yours? and how do YOU express it?
“this is a person who has never had to work a real job a day in his life.” we all work a REAL job, and it sucks. you;re not the only one, you’re just the only one who doesnt do something else besides work a REAl job.
“I’d like to cum right in that “artist’s” mouth. Pig!” Oooo where else, my darlin’? tell me!

now, tell me what REAL losers do with their time if isnt causing a ruckus?

Okay. There is much controversy over this article, obviously. But instead of trying to look at it from the stock boy’s point of view or whatever (unless you happen to be a stock boy at these supermarkets), just look at it and think “Hm. Is this pretty? Is it attractive? Do I enjoy looking at it?” If you answered “yes” to any of those questions, then you now have a right to enjoy this man’s artwork and you can stop trashing it. You people that are saying “fuck” and “dick” or whatever five million times because it makes you feel like a man, just shut the hell up. I, personally, would find it interesting to be grocery shopping one day and look over and see a can with one of these designs on it. Of course, I wouldn’t be able to know what’s in the can, but it’s cool nonetheless. Please, just appreciate it for what it is.

what a tool

What a douche bag of an idea…

Ok, I’m not sure where people get off calling this guy a tool. This is nothing more than interactive art. He’s not destroying property, he’s not being obnoxious or confrontational. It’s a gentle musing that shows people some freaking art. Granted painting cans is not what I call art, but then again art is subjective. Those of you commenting about this guys work and pulling out colorful adjectives need to grow up and learn to keep your detrimental comments to yourself if you have nothing good or intelligent to add to the conversation.

The concept of this “installation”is novel and something you don’t think of or see at all in this day and age.

For all the people who seem to be concerned with what the stocker thinks, well, here he is. I’ve worked a variety of grocery jobs, including stocking shelves, and I can tell you, if I saw something like this, I wouldn’t be angry. Grocery jobs are repetitive and boring. I’d be very amused to see something creative and mysterious like this break the monotony of my work.

Even if the stocker isn’t an art-lover, I’m telling you from personal experience, it’s no bother to remove an item from the shelf. Just put it in a card, wheel it to the back of the store, and toss it in the garbage.

I think shopdropping is a neat form of expression. It’s kind of unique, and there’s no victim. I wish people did this at my job.

It’s not art, it’s food-tampering. Basically one step above slipping poisoned Tylenol back onto shelves. What a great idea to inspire in others.

This guy might not be an asshole, but he sure is too self-involved to think of anyone but himself. And his “art” sucks anyway, so what’s the point?

‘The concept of this “installation”is novel and something you don’t think of or see at all in this day and age.’

No it’s not novel, but it is nice to see it again after, what, 30, 40 years or so?

Well,

It’s more than most of those who criticize it so. It’s a gesture really, no great shakes & symbolic I reckon. Is it art? Who cares? Those who are cooling this guy a tool are of course pretty shallow, not because the artist is better than them, but because they lack thy obviously are scared of thinking beyond their own trapped situations - zombies in fact…

This isnt art. Its just stupid.

Actually, I just think this is subversive communism. Like the beatnicks of the 50’s.

“Fuck Capitalism” is the message I see in this.

I say, go live somewhere else, you freak and take your “culture jamming” political art with you.

how do other people buy them if they’ve already been bought? did he steal them in the first place?

Lets see how artistic you feel when a shopper buys a can of whatever it is you’ve painted, gets sick, and sues you for food tampering. Even if you’ve had no contact with the food inside the can - you’re a target. In these wonderful days of people litigating at the drop of a hat, You’re toast.

I can’t believe the negative response to what is ultimately art.

This is a nice idea; it’s far more productive than those entitled cunts who think stealing a pair of leggings from American Apparel is sticking it to the man. I don’t think this is disruptive in any negative way, and although I think “monotonous activity of routine consumption” is kind of ridiculous [but really, who doesn't find doing the groceries monotonous?] I DO think it’s a nice way to get people thinking and encourage daily mindfulness.

if he’s passionate about it, let him do what he wants.
plus he was in some paper about it, which is more than half of you could say.

I have a dream that cans with pictures will be on every shelf,just words. I imagine the change of those cans and can see the light,just words. Change will change the country and we can all feel changed then change,just words. ALLAH ACHBAR!!!!!

Though I find the cans to be interesting, I have to agree with Geez… the project seems reminiscent of the Tylenol scandal of 1982. It worries me.

i think its really awesome how you can create something like that on such a undulate surface

I’ve been a checker/stocker and this would amuse me, not interfere with my job.
The only concern would be if people actually bought an item and the contents had been tampered with & they got pissed & came back & took it out on the store. I doubt it would get that far, as it would likely be caught at the purchase point or before.

How is this art? Aside from the trite, “it’s art because I say it is.”

This is just a practical joke that’s not very funny or interesting, but call it art and the credulous will fawn over your marketing. That’s all this is folks Ryan marketing himself.

If you’re going to go to the trouble of relabeling the cans why not put something beautiful or provoking on them?

This seems to be what happens when folks read an internet article about situationism and heroically miss the point.

Oh well.

F u ck you pretentious art hippie shits. This is a pretty novel and cool idea. Yeah I’m sure he doesn’t think he’s going to change the world. But he’s out there, doing some shit, expressing himself. And if I have to read one more comment from you idiots who are questioning the validity of this art-form, I swear to christ that I will ram all of your acrylic paint into your infinitely small egos. So what, he doesn’t use a natural duck canvas, and pubic hair brushes. Get over yourself. Stop being pissed off because someone did something cooler than you, and got published. Thanks for being retards.
-G

how is this bad? its a person showing his art all around. to me he is actually thinking outside the box as an artist and in no way interrupting with the daily lives of people. that is ridiculous, its normal people going into grocery stores i think we no better than to eat an odd looking can of food. Everyone has they’re own way in expressing themselves and your going to criticize on this guy? theres forms of art everywhere we go if its in a gallery,walls in the streets, and even on tables at your local fast food restaurant but i don’t hear any ridiculous complaints on that but you tear this guy apart. This gay hippie art bullshit is pretty cool to some people, not everyone is like you. Anything creative can be considered art. At least hes making moves unlike you.

Nice idea Ryan, shame everyone seems to hate you for it.

its funny how everyone is ready to gang up against this guy for having a little fun and just doing his own thing…those of u who see it as lame and stupid just look at how many post have gone up just about the article. he is def stirring things up

Wow, you people are pretty uptight. Who gives a rats rear end what the guy does? And for the person who thinks this stunt is “digesting” — you having bowel problems? There’s a pill for that.

This is obviously shopped, I can tell by the pixels. This “Artit” is a scam, I’ve been on the internet for over 10 years and I can spot these kinds of things. I can think of over 9000 reasons why this is shooped.

When I get drunk, I like to pee on things - motorbikes, door handles, the neighbors lawn, dirty hippies, artists….

im a stock clerk and this would be great. yes i do have to pull it from the shelf but when we “discard” product do to damage and ect we scan it for credit and throw it out. in this case i would scan it and put it in my jacket

rough crowd, cool idea, as a stock person I’d keep these and be gladly bothered with having to break up a rather boring day with fun artwork, the scary thing here is the sheer ruthlessness of folks commenting on the shopdropper, this is pretty dang harmless thing to do, you’d think shopdropper was murdering cans here or something…best of luck shopdropper, one smile is all it takes, as for the naysayers it is always easy to criticize but then those are usually the folks who never really create anything but hot air…and even banksy knows there’s plenty of room for all artists! keep up the good work

All you people are fags.

Just enjoy the fucking artwork and stop being a bunch of bitches about it. Fucking shitheads.

Ok, so the shop is making twice the money because he bought it the first time and now someone may buy it a second time. Might mess up the inventory but it should balance out with the shoplifting that has been done. Why would you buy it thinking that it was beans because it’s in the beans section? And if you did buy it why would you open it? It’s art and not meant to be opened. Are you dumb enough to open it and blindly eat what’s inside. THINK PEOPLE, THINK.

I love all these ignorant assholes unable to appreciate this. Sure he isn’t changing the world, but he isn’t hurting anyone (someone mentioned food tampering.. are you fucking serious??). Have you assholes BEEN to a supermarket? Everyone is bored or sad or in a hurry.. if these cans can bring a smile to just one persons face, or cause someone to snap out of their fuck to death trance, then all the power to the artist.

It’s not art, it’s food-tampering. Basically one step above slipping poisoned Tylenol back onto shelves. What a great idea to inspire in others.

This guy might not be an asshole, but he sure is too self-involved to think of anyone but himself. And his “art” sucks anyway, so what’s the point?

How the fuck is it food tampering? Its actually IMPOSSIBLE for someone to purchase one of these cans. If some moron wants to take home an unlabeled can, and blindly eat its contents.. who’s fault is it really?
Comparing this to poisoning someone? You are really reaching ehre

Personally I think this is fantastic. I would love to walk down the isles of my grocery store and find one of these. And for all of you who say this isn’t art, deal with the fact that you will never be this creative. Sorry.

I think it’s cool man, good on ya for trying something new. I think if I saw those cans in the supermarket it would make my day. “being a little banksy”- is not such a bad thing the guy will go down in history and art students will study him in years to come. Fuck all these haters. Keep up the good work. Do ya thang. Peace.

Andy Warhol is standing in his grave, applauding.

Wow…it’s kinda funny how folks get upset about stuff…silly rabbits.

Art in the Supermarket….sweet! I’ve always wanted to change the piped in music at the supermarket and slip a song onto the tape loop that’s really different…something amazingly beautiful….get the cashiers and stockers to sing along..loudly. Like a whole paradigm shift to lighten our lives. Hey, we all shop for food…may as well make it like getting tickets to Cirque Du Soleil…or a trip to Burning Man without the drugs….unless the supermarket has a pharmacy.

you probably saw one banksy site and “learned” about him from the comment board and now you think every creative non-traditional artist you come across is trying to emulate him, which isn’t true, nor would it be counter-productive to anyone but the artist. second, if banksy or andy warhol or basically any other artist told you they loved this guy’s work, you would agree with them in a heart beat.

Holy Crap! Of all the possible things to get rabidly and irrationally angry about, so many people have chosen this guy and his ‘art’? Maybe it’s art, maybe not, who here is really qualified to say? Art is subjective, you like it, you don’t. But to vent so vehemently about one guy in several billion on this planet who has the balls to actually DO something with his idea, which seems perfectly harmless to me, seems awfully petty and ignorant. How about making a fuss about the people getting hacked to death with machetes in Kenya, or starving in any number of places (including right here at home in the good ol’ US of A, or any number of truly nefarious things our own government has perpetrated on us, we the people. Of course, I could be wrong, maybe Homeland Security should be notified, or maybe all these naysayers should consider getting a life and putting it out there for others to comment on. I doubt there are any takers.

You guys realize he glues the original labels back onto the can right? It hides the art. The consumer could possibly even throw the can away without knowing there was art underneath it.

I think its a nice idea, it doesn’t interfere with anyones life. I would enjoy this if I knew it was happening in my town - I’d check under the labels more often.

He’s probably already bought the can, which means the store loses nothing (in fact gains money when someone else buys the can again). Management would never know - who cares?

I think its a novel idea, and he’s giving something back to the community.

There is nothing inspirational or groundbreaking about this so called “art”

Art for it’s own sake is little more than a cheap ploy for grabbing attention and there is no real merit in it. Painting a few cans can’t really dissipate the mundane nature of grocery shopping, anyway!

That is innovative, genius, great!

wanker

“There’s no right way or wrong way, you just have to live.
So I do what I do, and at least I exist,
what could mean more than this?”

-Conor Oberst

All you naysayers need to focus more on your own life and stop worrying so much about everyone else’s. We only get one life (and that’s a scientific fact), so why spend it getting angry at people for how they want to spend their lives?

To all those that say “leave him alone, he’s not bothering anyone”, have you thought that perhaps he IS bothering someone? Just because you think its art and that it couldn’t possibly offend anyone doesn’t mean it is and it doesn’t. Why does your opinion count more than anyone else’s? Let him paint all the cans he wants and display them in his home or in the proper venue, the minute he starts practicing his ‘guerrilla art’, he’s inviting all sorts of repercussions, including criticism and ostracism) . How does his lack of respect for other peoples - potential or otherwise - property translate to artistic genius? You want us to mind our own business - Then stop messing with our sh*t.

if someone is offended that the green beans aren’t in the correct packaging - they’re what’s wrong with the world.

Ya, you all have summed this up well, so there’s not a lot for me to comment on besides just putting another vote in for “this is stupid”

It seemed cool at first, but then I saw his “artwork” and it sucks.

Well, I fail to see how he’s messing with anyone’s sh*t, to use Don’s phrase.
There is NO lack of respect for anyone’s property.
He BUYS the cans, paints them, returns them to the store with the barcode INTACT, and they might get bought or they might not. If they are bought, the store profits twice off the same item - bonus! Plus someone has a neat story to tell their family when they get home with the groceries.
If they aren’t bought, they get thrown out and no one is any worse-off. It’s the stockboy’s job to do so, so I wouldn’t go pitying him terribly. If he didn’t have to throw it out, he’d just be walking around looking busy anyway. I’ve worked in a supermarket. I know.

I don’t think this guy is trying to send a message to anybody. He’s just inserting art where art isn’t usually found.
what’s the big deal? why all the bad vibes?

Sheesh….folks need to calm down. I’d be tickled pink to happen across something like this while shopping. I’d certainly take one home. And having worked in a grocery store years ago, it’d be pretty interesting to come across these. Lots of fun….keep it up!

Well, everyone who said they’d be happy to find something like that on the shelves, thats great - but there are other people in the world and some of them might take offense. Also, if the cans are purchased and then tossed because - honestly - how could you trust whether the ‘artist’ hadn’t messed with the contents - or perhaps the cans are thrown away by the store first - that would be a waste of food. there are laws against tampering for a reason: not everyone has a noble or artistic purpose. Your opinion counts for you, and it should, but please stop trying to force your views (notice I haven’t said whether I like them or not, just that I think they’d be better displayed elsewhere) on others just because you feel you know best. Why can’t the artist just use the appropriate venue as I stated before? The only reason this is at all newsworthy is because of where he’s displaying - not what. And at that point it stops being art and becomes a sad cry for attention. The artistic ability is lost in the method of presentation. If his art pieces really are popular, then they will still be remarked upon if displayed outside of a supermarket. Until then, its just a publicity trick on a slow news day.

there’s a norwegian film called ‘elling’ and it features this guy writing poetry and then smuggling the papers back to the shop - inside packages - for people to read.

You stole this idea from that Norweigan movie about the mental patients that were released from the psyche ward and moved out on their own.

you can’t fool me I saw that movie.

What a great way to waste your time!

WOW! I did that in 2004 while I was in art school. Same exact thing. I even bought my repackaged goods back after restocking them.
Isn’t it great to do something that you think is so cool, and then find out it’s been done so many times before, and usually way better?

This is the stupidest thing I have ever seen.

I don’t understand the big deal behind this. Painting a can is art, regardless of quality, effort, or opinion. If you don’t think it’s art, that’s great. I know for a fact if I was working there and I found a painted can, I’d think it’s bold and creative.

Anarchy? Please. Do you people have other things to worry about other than a guy who enjoys painting on stuff to be bold? Come on, lighten up.

I’m pretty sure he’s counting on all of you people who tell him that it’s wrong and stupid to do what he does, otherwise, I don’t think he’d do it. There’s no point in doing something outgoing if there’s no one shaking their head.

Why do yo think graffiti is done on public walls?

This is neat! I would buy a can like that if I could find one…

Wow, some people are jerks :[

This is an original idea. I don’t see why people in the comments have criticized it so much. I’m sure they think everything ever has been done before so there is nothing to do but waste your life in front of the tube. Waste away folks.

I think it is a driving force to keep doing it because people think it is dumb and wrong.

Keep it up.

Genius.

I like art that is different and interesting, which I find this to be. I don’t understand how people get so upset about things they don’t like. Whenever I don’t like a work of art I just move on to the next thing, who cares. The discussion as to whether or not something is art is futile anyway.

I don’t think that he’s a genius but even though you pay for can and the art is free ! so I think that is cool you get all the canned meat and corn you want but you also get a little somethin els. I like that its unexpected. people will be like “what the F is this?” but then they will think “oooooh a little somethin els” and it will keep them coming back, might even make them feel special for once in there sad little lives. so I don’t hate
the end

This is another pathetic attempt for untalented people to show off their faux-creativity.

Ok, forget about the stock boy. What about the shopper? I don’t want to see a landscape on a can. I want to see a wrapper that says what I’m buying. I want to see an expiration date. Odds are the can’s gonna stay on the shelf.

Interesting idea, that is if the cans are empty. If not there are starving people who would like some food.

Wow, I really wonder when all of you people being so negative about this got your souls crushed. If it would anger you to find some really cool art on a can during your stockboy job, you are fucked up indeed.

If I ever see one I will have to buy it

i wouldnt be destroying property in the name of art. art is already everything in the universe including the rows and rows of properly labeled products. you dont need to culture jam us in the supermarket. i just want to buy my soup:)

Well i actually saw this idea on Norvegian Film “Elling” (Script by Ingvar Ambjørnsen’s book). Instead of painting the whole can. It just puts his poems into the boxes of cabbage pickles.

I mean idea is good but not that original. Two of the commenters (including me) reminded the Elling movie. So not that effective.

Sorry for double post and for my excitement to talk.

Wow. I work in a grocery store and am offended at the idea that a number of you would suggest that means I’m not going anywhere. I don’t believe for a second that you started off in a high paying corporate job. Everyone starts somewhere small and builds their way up. Remember your roots before you speak badly of the minimum wage workers.
The fact of the matter is that these cans don’t hurt anyone since no one can buy them without a bar code and the store isn’t loosing their own product. All and all it probably gives them a laugh in the monotony of a job as boring as stocking shelves for 9 hours.

I can’t imagine how a couple of painted cans on the shelf would seriously impact a stockboy’s workload. I’ve worked shit service jobs my whole life, and would certainly take pleasure in finding something like this to break up the monotony of my shitty bullshit day. In fact, if I worked stock I’d probably leave the cans on purpose so that others could see them and enjoy them as much as I did, or else I’d just take them home and be excited to have some found art to brighten up my kitchen window.

@Joel, the minimum wage stock boy doesn’t give a FUcking Shit! His job sucks already, what the fuck does he care if he has to throw something away? he throws shit out all the time, and he cleans up messes, and puts up with crazy ass customers and on and on, all for minimum wage! You using this minimum wage stock boy so that you can bitch about something is offensive to me! What do you know about the minimum wage stock boy? He probably DOES appreciate it. he works every day from 6 to close looking at shitty food lables. If someone picked his store to do something crazy, or stupid, or whatever in, he would be glad just for the entertainment, just for the change. The people who might care is the management, though, they throw damaged cans away all the time too.

@ steve.. haha, you said “digesting” what a tard…
do you know what supports anarchy? bad spelling.

…idk, maybe.