Banksy the infamous pseudonymous English graffiti artist, political activist, film director, and painter is making headlines around the world again with his latest and biggest creation to date. He and a whole hosts of artists ranging from Damien Hirst, Jenny Holtzer to Julie Burchill have taken over a dilapidated municipal swimming pool in Weston-super-mare, a traditional British seaside resort 150 miles west of London to create Dismaland ‘a festival of art, amusements and entry-level anarchism’ according to their website.
Amongst the bizarre exhibits there is a decaying castle and model boats full of refugees, a Jeffrey Archer Memorial Fire Pit and a massive sandcastle topped by a multi-colored windmill and a prancing horse made from steel poles. Dismaland website asks ‘Are you looking for an alternative to the soulless sugar-coated banality of the average family day out? Or just somewhere a lot cheaper? Then this is the place for you-a chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism.‘ It entreats ‘bring the whole family to come and enjoy the latest addition to our chronic leisure surplus -a bemusement park’.
Dismaland opens to the public today and will run seven days a week until September 27th. Admission tickets are £3 each and be purchased at www.dismaland.co.uk. The website also has the following warning for would-be visitors. 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”.
Labels: 2015, amusement park, anarchy, Banksy, Dismaland, England
