May 10, 2008
Anonymous Protest against Scientology – Operation Fair Game Stop
Another month, another Anon protest. As the title suggests, this demonstration against the Church of Scientology focused on the fair game policy.
If you’ve been following my blogs, or are generally internet-savvy, you’ll know what these protests have been about. If you don’t have a clue, feel free to check out my previous posts on this subject:
February – http://tanya-n.com/?p=104
March – http://tanya-n.com/?p=107
April – http://tanya-n.com/?p=110
The protest seemed to be just like the last three, with one notable exception.
The police were giving out warnings to those carrying signs depicting Scientology as a cult, claiming it is an offence under Section 5 of the Public Order act of 1986.
Full view the following to read the warning in full. Next to it is the ‘insulting’ sign.
Those not adhering to the warning, who continue to use the signs would be summoned to court, and that’s exactly what happened to this guy. I should point out that the Church of Scientology complained about the signs portraying them as a cult, which is what lead to these warnings being issued. I’m really curious as to what the outcome of this will be.
This guy was using a nifty monocular to try and see what was going on in the building.
Run Anon girl, run!
By complete coincidence, the bar next door to the Church of Scientology (COS) building is called the Cos Bar. Strange, that!
Full-view:
Me!
Once again, demonstrating my elite self portrait skills!
The protesters left their base outside the Church of Scientology in Blackfriars, and just like with the previous protests, headed over to Tottenham Court Road to demonstrate outside the Dianetics Centre.
It was incredibly amusing seeing the group on the Tube, playing Rick Astley and Chocolate Rain, and proclaiming loudly.
Not impressed:
Once out of the Underground, I stupidly forgot to change the ISO, so some of the following look rubbish as I was shooting in sunshine at 1600. Clever stuff.
This passer-by decided to make a statement of his own:
Unfortunately it resulted in him getting arrested.
A bit harsh, I’d say!
He gave me one of those Mudkip cards 
I’ll end with a couple of snaps I took at the Cans Festival, where Anon occupied a little space of their own.
Sorry about the inconsistent fonts – I’m using an upgraded WordPress and something is a bit screwed up!
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Cans Festival – May 3rd-5th 2008
I decided to check out the Cans Festival which was publicised just a few days ago. The location had been kept a secret while Banksy, Bandit, Jef Aerosol and others transformed a bland tunnel near Waterloo Station, into a street art extravaganza.
I hadn’t been expecting queues, and was told they were an hour or so long I was told it was worth waiting for, and I can confirm that it definitely was!
I snapped some random graffiti while waiting in the queue.
This was even before I was in the tunnel itself.
Finally in!
I think everyone in there had a camera of some sort. It was actually quite a mission to get pictures without someone’s arm or head in view.
A couple of pieces by Jef:
This is by Hutch:
Most of these are best full-viewed in order to appreciate the intricate details.
These guys were still adding stuff to the exhibition
I guess this is Lily Allen
I’ve never seen a burned out car like this before:
I like noticing the small details..
This gorgeous piece is by Mark Jones aka farkfk
I saw a guy sitting and reading, and I asked if he was one of the organisers. He said he was an unofficial organiser. I asked him what he meant and he said he was one of the artists. I asked which one, and he said he couldn’t tell me his name, despite my efforts to persuade him Could it be Banksy?!
I asked to take a picture and he said that was fine. Of course I managed to snap him with his eyes shut. Go me!
He told me all the walls would be cleaned eventually, and the cleanup operation would cost £300,000. It seems like such a shame to get rid of it all though. He said the graffiti would still be on show for a while still.
[EDIT] I have just been informed by the genius that is Jef Aerosol that he is in fact stencil artist, Pure Evil – I guess the T-Shirt wasn’t a big enough clue for me! Thanks Jef 
Here is one of Pure Evil’s stunning pieces:
This guy below in the hoodie was just sitting on the sofa for ages , observing people walking past. Maybe this is Banksy!?!?
Or not.
I think the piece that impressed me the most was this:
The image was chiselled out of the wall itself – amazing. It was produced by Vhils.
It’s our new Mayor! The wonderfully competent Boris. I still cannot believe he got the most votes.. something must have gone seriously wrong!
The event was open to the general public to showcase their work, and artists were still working away.
What a great opportunity for these guys to have their stuff alongside major graffiti artists.
At the end of the tunnel there was a book for anyone to draw/write in. I couldn’t think of anything original enough so hey, may as well spam! 
Well that’s it – graffiti overload over!
I think this has got to be the best art exhibition I’ve been to. The atmosphere was electric – there was music blaring out from one of the cars, soothing piano pieces from the other end, and you could see ongoing art being produced. What I love is that this art is meaningful and powerfully projected. There were so many statements being made. It was thought-provoking, humourous, colourful, eclectic, and just ace really. There was so much to see.. I’m convinced that in the time I spent there, I must have missed a lot of the fine details. I could have spent the whole day if I’d had the time!
Thanks to all the artists who contributed to this spectacular arrangement – you guys have done a tremendous job.
