Kent News - Crack rabbit posters are graffiti, says councillor

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Friday, September 3 2010, 6:48

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Crack rabbit posters are graffiti, says councillor

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One of the crazed rabbit posters

Pictures of a drugged-up cartoon rabbit that have been popping up around Maidstone have been defended as a "social experiment" by its creator.

Stickers and posters bearing the bizarre image have been posted on walls and street furniture throughout the county town, much to the dislike of residents who view them as an eyesore.

Borough councillor Stephen Paine contacted KOS Media to help promote his campaign to kill the crack rabbit after being unconvinced by its creator's argument that it was not a form of graffiti.

In a message sent to Mr Paine on Facebook, "Team Crack" member Jonny Darko wrote: "It is a social experiment.

"Every day the public is subliminally bombarded with vulgar, brash advertising. Product placement is everywhere you look.

"But because that advertising is paid for by big companies with money to throw at your council, it's considered acceptable.

"The objective of the rabbit head is just to see if a silly yet sinister image can break through that wall of routine in everyone's daily lives, and if they will start to notice their surroundings more and question everything.

"Many people who are familiar with the sticker find the image itself amusing, recognising it as nonsensical, and are able to derive straightforward visual pleasure without burdening themselves with an explanation.”

The name Jonny Darko is a play on the 2001 cult classic film Donnie Darko – starring Jake Gyllenhaal – in which a paranoid schizophrenic receives dark premonitions from a man dressed in a menacing bunny costume.

Cllr Paine told KOS Media that while he found the project interesting, he was not convinced with the artist's argument that it was not causing visual harm to the environment.

He said: "If the guys behind these posters were carrying out legitimate social research then they would have been ethically obliged to talk to the council or community leaders about what it is they planned to do.

"I actually think their posters are an appalling act of vandalism and I consider them graffiti. I am particularly disturbed by the way they are sticking these posters outside primary schools.

"I try to rip down the posters when I see them and would encourage others to do the same.”

Graffiti and flyposting – the act of placing stickers or posters up in public without permission – are both criminal offences carrying large fines given out by a magistrate.

Local councils whose responsibility it is to remove them can also issue fixed penalty notices to offenders of up to £80.

POSTED: 31/07/2009 11:23:49

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ADD YOUR COMMENT

Comments:

Added: Friday 09/07/2010 02:30:52 UK

I think the Jonny Darko stickers are harmless and he should be aloud to put these stickers up.They are not graffiti in any way so they should stay and never be removed,keep up the stickers Jonny Darko they are the best

barry wilson, maidstone , kent

Added: Thursday 24/06/2010 09:34:15 UK

I think the work of Jonny Darko is very artistic and gives a good message. I am always happy when I see a sticker/poster by Jonny Darko.

Asian Beauty, Maidstone, Kent

Added: Wednesday 23/06/2010 14:22:30 UK

I feel that this is very interesting. Keep it up 'Jonny Darko'!

Simon Moles, Maidstone, England

Added: Tuesday 03/11/2009 10:12:08 UK

I think that Jonny Darko is amazing. Keep putting them up Team Crack!

Ryan Siveyer, maidstone, kent

Added: Tuesday 11/08/2009 21:07:22 UK

I feel that these posters are harmless and interesting, I have heard many people walking about Maidstone pointing them out and talking about them, and not in a negative way.
I feel that ''Jonny Darko'' and ''Team Crack'' are bringing something different and arty to the town of Maidstone, and I would be interested to see different images also.

K, maidstone, kent

Added: Friday 07/08/2009 22:01:11 UK

I actually agree with Johnny Darko on this one. I live in the Maidstone area and notice his art stickers in strange often unexpected places, and sometimes find myself looking out for them!

He has a good point, and I'm suppporting him on this! Let the experiment continue, just wish he would make another image to attract my annention. XD

SoulRemnant, Maidstone, Kent