It was fake. They were told it was fake. But they still bought everything … anyway.

In early October, famous (and faceless) artist Banksy tried to sell his very valuable paintings for $60 in Central Park. Three people bought them. David Cicirelli tried to do the same thing in exactly the same spot a week later, and, well, just see what happened.

And to see the results when Banksy tried it originally, take a look below.

This says a lot about the nature of selling art, I think. No one bought the real thing when it was right in front of them. But after Banksy’s stunt went through the hype machine, the fakes sold out.

I think it’s odd that the thing that sells these paintings is the name instead of the work. Art is supposed to be about the message.