Look at all the shocked faces as a million dollar painting shredded in front of their eyes. During a live auction, just as the gavel went down, the Balloon Girl artwork started to shred itself.

Banksy, the anonymous artist behind the balloon girl, had personally built a shredder into the frame, ready to activate it whenever it was sold at an auction. It was a powerful statement, challenging the commercialization of art.

Balloon girl depicts a little girl reaching her hands towards the air, trying to grab the string of a love-shaped balloon, but never quite able to grip it in her hands, representing the loss of innocence, uncontrollable factors in life, and the spirit of desiring happiness.

The incident sparked a global conversation about the value of art and its connection to money. Many praised Banksy for his audacious act, while others questioned whether shredding it was the right thing to do.