Girl with a Pierced Eardrum

A satirical work allows the audience to question preconceived notions through a different perspective, medium, or voice. It might seem controversial to some, but authors use satire in symbolism, plot, or characters to approach realism and social concerns without the constraints of a typical piece of writing.

The original "Girl with the Pearl Earring" was one of the first of its kind to depict a middle-class woman's portrait. Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer lived in Delft, Netherlands, a place of unrest due to the war against the aristocracy. Therefore, the women in the painting represented the general public—a symbol of society, an ambiguous anyone. 

Banksy chose the "Girl with the Pearl Earring" as a symbolic reference piece to capture the general public, much like Vermeer's decision against painting aristocracy. The unclear focus manipulates the painting to ensure connection with a broader audience. This is further highlighted by his replication of the girl's striking eyes, pointedly looking at the viewer as if to inform them of something important. (an evocation for the viewer to engage with her message) 

In Vermeer's painting, the pearl earring is just a smudge of iridescent paint rather than an actual pearl. The earring's illusion is an interesting play on wealth and distinguished status. Does one need an explicit display of opulence to capture the viewer's attention, command the painting, and give credibility?

Bansky utilizes the ADT Security system for his earring on the girl. Much like the illusion of Vermeer's pearl, Bansky could be analyzing the instability of perceived stability. Whether that perceived safety is a person's security, the nation's security, or even a society's security, the fallacy provides a different analysis of the world today. His art demonstrates that although, as a society, we are combatting and often preventing discrimination, war, and injustice, are we truly doing enough? The security that we have installed provides a temporary comfort and shield to the lurking injustices that intertwine social systems. To those who are privileged enough to experience protection, countless others don't. 

This characteristic inclusion is a part of the definition of satire. Through a different medium, a lonely security system, Bansky initiates a reflection of societal issues and the safety that many countries claim to possess. It questions the subtlety of the security and offers a unique perspective to the problems the world faces, illustrating a concerning and anxious tone reminding a stagnant society to notice its weaknesses.

Another interpretation could be Banksy's mocking tone for people's ignorance. Like the pearl earring, one overlooks the security system's ambiguity until a close inspection of the painting. The earring is considered the centerpiece of Vermeer's painting, shining in front of the one-dimensional black wash of color. It is in the title of the piece, "Girl with the Pearl Earring". However, its importance is only accentuated because of society's emphasis on owning pearls to indicate affluence; the audience falls for this trap. Upon first glance, Banksy's security centerpiece leaves the viewer unconscious of their misconception, maybe even amused, fulfilling an irrevocable affirmation of human nature's desire to assume naivete.

Bansky’s piece is successful because it conveys all the traits of satire...

1) allowing the reader to question preconceived notions of security

2) the symbolism of the girl's earring provoking deeper discussion and analysis of social injustices and inequalities