So I hadn’t really been interested, or even really aware of the Oscars until I got an email about Banksy’s Exit Through the Gift Shop being nominated for best documentary. If you havent seen it, you should. It is genius. In a time when art, wall space, film; really creativity in general has been commodified, the best way to fight back is to become a grifter. Its a sly attack on commercialism, hollywoodism, and art elitism. That’s why it is so ironic that it would ever be nominated to be awarded for its participation and simultaneous attack on the very industry that would hand him that trophy. Here is probably the most famous piece that either he did, or one of the artists in his documentary did, Mr Brainwash. Most people think it is Mr Brainwash’s work. Some people think Mr Brainwash is a creation of Banksy’s…. The plot thickens! check it out:
None of the articles I read seems to understand what is obviously being said here. Hollywood is just another subtler limb belonging to empire.
This event comes at perfect timing as my final project for Imperialism was on walls. One of the main things I focused on was situationist theory regarding cityscapes. It is a concept that explores the ways in which city planning can be a method of control as it governs the very environment that humans live in. Wall space is public space, its something we all have to look at. Before a corporation is given the opportunity to make someone feel inadequate by advertising diet pills, male enhancement pills, acne creams, and demanding anorexic standards of beauty, they should have to ask us for permission. street art is public space taken back by force.
I never really thought about Hollywood being a subtler limb belonging to empire but that pic is really cool. I have often dreamed about the empire in out time and wow its exciting.
Mr. Brainwash is an enigma. I want to hug him one second and smack him the next. He is awesome, infuriating, almost impossible to define, but if an artist is defined by relentless, obsessive passion, then MBW is definitely an artist.
It is really amazing!Thanks alot for great post!So helpful for all.Love this post alot!God bless you!Amen
Tommy, I love your blog…of course. Mom’s are like that!
I’m watching Micky Mouse, from 1960, with Nick. It’s a trip to watch animated shorts from back then while I read your blog about Banksy, walls, commercialization etc. I must admit, it’s hard to think of Micky as an effort to commodify….what a success though. Want me to get you a Micky Mug for coffee?
Banksy, his work, and his method of participation are a source of inspiration and personal support to manifest ourselves in ways that are not mainstream. He has the courage and individual conviction to express and to take the flack. When one’s art reveals or exposes the Judgement and Bias of our society or of the individual, it not only stirs the soul, but it gives a venue for conversations. If we talk about our collective judgments and inequities (be it oppression, racism, class) we move one step, a conversation at a time, closer to honesty. Love ya!
I like the pic u have posted! Starwars is my all time favorite – storm troopers rocks!
Your method of explaining all in this post is genuinely good, every one be able to without difficulty be aware of it,
Thanks a lot.
It’s hard to come by well-informed people about this topic, but you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks