San Francisco's street art scene was rocked yesterday by news that a Banksy mural painted in 2010 reappeared this week in its original location above The Red Victorian on Haight Street.

But, as Oscar Wilde once said, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."

Reader Geoff G. contacted Hoodline this morning to report that on the evening of July 4, he observed "two guys using a projector to 'trace' over a photo of the original" Banksy mural.

The artist known as Banksy generally uses stencils.

Tipster Geoff G. said the work took "maybe an hour or two."

Given the angle, Geoff surmised that the projector was on the roof of Decades of Fashion. He took photos of the painters between 10:30 and 10:45 and estimated that their homage took "maybe an hour or two" to complete.

"I stopped paying attention after a while, but I know they weren't there too late," he added.





The original "Haight Street Rat." | Photo: Impermanent Art/Instagram

The original Haight Street Rat was removed after its installation and became part of a traveling exhibition; ironically, that piece isn't considered museum-quality because it lacks the artist's signature or a certificate of authenticity.

Thanks to tipster Geoff G.

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