8 The Guardian Weekly 04.04.
08
Learning English
Advanced≥ Swiss embassy reveals its graffiti art treasures
Mark Brown
1 Switzerland’s ambassador to Brit-
ain knew his country had an image
problem. There had been reports in
the press that Swiss banks were still
holding Nazi gold, and he wanted
to do something to show his coun-
try in a positive light.
2 So Bruno Spinner invited young
graffiti artists into the London
embassy’s underground car park
and let them do what they wanted.
They could even have a rave there
a few days later, he decided.
3 The ambassador’s rebranding
­e xercise had an extraordinary
consequence: one of the car-park
graffiti kids went on to become an
artist whose works command eye-
popping prices, collected by the
rich and famous. The works at the
embassy in London are by Banksy
and are worth more than $2m.
4 There are about 10 pieces by the
Bristol-born artist. The works in-
clude mohican-haired Lenins and
a French poodle having a dream
about a nasty-looking bulldog-
faced poodle. Another has Mona
Questions
Materials prepared by
Janet Hardy-Gould
Before reading
1 Look at the photo, which shows an
example of graffiti art. Discuss the
questions below with a partner. Check
words in bold with the glossary.
a What is graffiti art?
b Are there any examples of graffiti art in
your town or city?
c Can you remember a striking piece of
graffiti art? Describe it to your partner.
d How much would a famous piece of
stencilled graffiti art sell for?
2 Look at the headline, photo and
­caption. Guess the correct answers
to the questions below. Then quickly
read the first four paragraphs of the
article to check your ideas. Where is
the ­graffiti art picture of Lenin?
a [ ] In an underground station next to
the Swiss embassy in London.
b [ ] In the cellar of the Swiss embassy in
Central London.
c [ ] In the underground car park of
­London’s Swiss embassy.
Why is the graffiti art in this place?
a [ ] It was commissioned by the Swiss
embassy to improve its image.
b [ ] It was put there by graffiti artists
who wanted to protest against the Swiss
embassy.
c [ ] It was painted there by teenagers
who secretly used the place for a rave
every week.
Underground art . . . Banksy’s mohican-haired Lenin Graham Turner
Lisa with a green rifle sight on her
forehead, while one pillar has a
threatening policeman and the
words: “Laugh now, but one day
we’ll be in charge.”
5 The Banksys, barring the odd scuff
mark, have held up well and have
remained a secret known only to
regular users of the car park.
6 At the time, the Swiss embassy
­described the graffiti event as “part
While reading
1 Read the first four paragraphs again.
Use the words below to complete the
questions, then find the answers.
How many, How much, What, Why
a _____ did Switzerland have an image
problem?
b _____ two things were the graffiti artists
allowed to do in the car park?
c _____ is the graffiti now so special?
d _____ are the Banksy pieces worth?
e _____ Banksy works are in the car park?
f _____ is the political message behind the
“threatening policeman” picture?
2 Read the rest of the article from
paragraph five onwards. (See a video
tour of the Swiss embassy car park
at: http://arts.guardian.co.uk/art/
news/story/0,,2260941,00.html)
Look at the possible paragraph titles
below and write the correct paragraph
number next to it. There are two extra
titles that are not needed.
a [ ] The graffiti is here to stay
b [ ] An artist who stays in the shadows
c [ ] Trouble with the law
d [ ] A surprise for the new ambassador
e [ ] In demand from the rich and famous
f [ ] Artists of the future
g [ ] The real man behind Banksy
h [ ] A secret drive-in art gallery
After reading
1 Collocation
Without looking back at the text,
complete the collocations in the para-
graph summary below. The first letter
Tefl Update Get an email version of these materials by
going to www.guardian.co.uk/GWeekly/teflupdate
9 Banksy has managed to keep his
10 He also has many celebrity fans.
of a series of events organised at the
beginning of this century aimed to
engage with the next generation of
people and artists who will largely
shape and determine the future”.
7 The plan was to whitewash the
walls but the embassy was pleased
with the results and decided to
keep the graffiti.
8 Switzerland’s current ambassador,
Alexis Lautenberg, said: “I was
of each word has been given.
The Swiss ambassador was worried that
his country had an (a) i_____ problem
so he embarked on a (b) r_____ exercise
which would show Switzerland in a more
(c) p_____ light. He decided to commis-
sion a group of young (d) g_____ artists
to paint on the walls of the embassy’s
(e) u_____ car park. His decision had
an (f) e_____ consequence. One of the
­artists, Banksy, became the leader of the
(g) n_____ generation of artists whose
works sell to (h) c_____ fans. The car park
art is now worth more than $2m.
2 Referencing
Look at the words in bold in the
­sentences below. Which word(s)
do they refer back to in the text?
­Paragraph numbers are in brackets.
a . . . he wanted to do something to show
his country in a positive light. ( 1)
b They could even have a rave there a
few days later, he decided. (2)
c There are about 10 pieces by the
Bristol-born artist. (4)
d Another has Mona Lisa with a green
rifle sight … (4)
e The Banksys, barring the odd scuff
mark, have held up well … (5)
Why are references like these
­important in a text?
Activity – discussion
Read the statements below about
graffiti art. Decide if you agree [A] or
disagree [D] with them. Then discuss
your answers in small groups.
a [ ] Graffiti art is often more thought-
somewhat surprised when I drove
in. The Swiss embassy obviously
has many layers. This should be a
source of inspiration.”
anonymity throughout a career
which has seen his fanbase widen
and prices of his works rocket. In
2006 a stencil of a green Mona Lisa
sold for $113,000. This year a stencil
of a monkey called Laugh Now sold
for $456,000.
Angelina Jolie paid $400,000 for a
Banksy and other stars such as Jude
Law and Keanu Reeves have been
reported as buyers.
Glossary
striking (adjective) unusual or interest-
ing enough to attract attention
stencil (noun) a design or picture
painted onto a surface using a sheet of
card or metal out of which the design has
been cut (adjective: stencilled)
to commission something (verb) to
officially ask someone to make something
rave (noun) a big party often held in
unusual places where people dance
provoking than traditional art.
b [ ] Most graffiti artists are not talented;
they make towns and cities look a mess.
c [ ] Graffiti artists are irresponsible;
they paint on other people’s property.
d [ ] Graffiti art is more interesting and
original because it is not done for money.
e [ ] In the future, people will look back
at Banksy and see that he was one of the
most important artists of his generation.
Answers
Before reading
2 c, a
While reading
1 a Why, Because of Nazi gold reports.
b What, Spray graffiti art, have a rave.
c Why, Some of it is by Banksy, who is now
famous. d How much, More than $2m.
e How many, Around 10. f What, There
may one day be a police state.
2 a 7 b 9 c Not needed d 8 e 10 f 6
g Not needed h 5
After reading
1 a image b rebranding c positive
d ­graffiti e underground f extraordinary
g next h celebrity
2 Paragraph numbers of words that are
referred back to are in brackets. a he
— Switzerland’s ambassador (1)/Bruno
­Spinner (2), his country — Switzerland’s
(1) b They — young graffiti artists (2),
there — the embassy’s underground car
park (2), he — Switzerland’s ambassador
(1)/Bruno Spinner (2) c pieces — works
(3) (of graffiti art), Bristol-born ­artist
— Banksy (3) d Another — work(s) (of
­graffiti art) (3/4) e The Banksys — works
. . . by Banksy (3/4).