Dismaland was Banksy's biggest exhibition ensemble. Every Banksy exhibition is unique, but this one took things to another level. A mysterious construction was discovered in the vicinity of Weston-super-Mare's abandoned seaside resort. It included a Disney-like castle, and a huge, rainbow coloured, plastic-tangled pinwheel.
This suggested that something large was at work. The suspense and anticipation surrounding the strange activity, which was attributed to the fabled artist and provocateur Banksy, has escalated to Willy Wonka-esque proportions. If Banksy is your thing, keep on reading.
What is Dismaland - A Banksy Exhibition?
Dismaland was a play on Disney Land from Banksy himself. His team and himself displayed a classic Banksy exhibition full of various art displayed in the park. The art itself sent a message on various subjects in-regards to theme parks and such. Many of the displays showed some of the gruesome truth about what goes on in these theme parks and why the business idea behind them is evil.
Keep in mind art is objective and this is what I understood from the exhibition. Banksy himself was not able to address his mission or explain why he sent up Dismaland. However, the artists and crowds were happy to speculate.
Credit: Barry Cawston
This event has all the characteristics of a Banksy event, from its initial shrouding of secrecy, to artistic themes and anti-consumerism as well as pointed social criticisms on celebrity culture, immigration and law enforcement. There is one important difference: The majority of artwork in the three main galleries' interior galleries was created and donated by many other artists.
Credit: Barry Cawston
What is the secret behind this abandoned seaside resort's walls? There are 58 international artists involved in this bizarre collection of beautiful and strange artworks. Banksy will also be showing 10 of his artworks.
This is Banksy, who has a reputation for leaving political and often comical graffiti all over the world, from London to Gaza. The British street artist, known for his explorations of war, political corruption and hope with spray paint and stencils; the unidentified figure whose identity is still unknown.
Why Was Dismaland Built?
The "bemusement park" was created as a grim interpretation of the most happy place on Earth aka Disney Land. It is located in Weston-super-Mare and features several attractions , including a Grim Reaper riding in a bumper car, paparazzi taking photos of Cinderella's body after a pumpkin-carriage accident, and a butcher making lasagna from carousel horses.
Banksy's work is known for shining light on important topics in the world. In this case, he changed the quote on quote "happiest place on earth", to the most depressing place on earth through various art displays of grime realities in our world.
Credit: Barry Cawston
Several assortment of beautiful and different artworks from no less than 58 global artists were on display; including Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer, Jimmy Cauty, Bill Barminski, Caitlin Cherry, Polly Morgan, Josh Keyes, Mike Ross, David Shrigley, Bast, and of course Banksy.
Dismaland Map - Banksy Exhibition
Here’s some text from the event’s official brochure:
Are you looking for an alternative to the soulless sugar-coated banality of the average family day out? Or just somewhere cheaper. Then this is the place for you—a chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism. Instead of a burger stall, we have a museum. In place of a gift shop we have a library, well, we have a gift shop as well.
Bring the whole family to come and enjoy the latest addition to our chronic leisure surplus—a bemusement park. A theme park whose big theme is: theme parks should have bigger themes…
This event contains adult themes, distressing imagery, extended use of strobe lighting, smoke effects and swearing. The following items are strictly prohibited: knives, spraycans, illegal drugs, and lawyers from the Walt Disney corporation.
