banksy

Banksy is far and away my favourite modern artist. I have been heavily interested in his work for many years and enjoy the political overtones displayed in a lot of his graffiti. His disdain for authority and "the system" helps to create a new genre of work, sort of an "anti-propaganda propaganda". His work reflects a bleak present and an even bleaker future, with warnings of an Orwellian government and the violent nature of man.

One of the most alluring facets of Banksy's personality is his anonymity. It was his total lack of identity that drew me to him in the first place, and it is with this in mind that "Exit Through the Gift Shop" was created. The message of the film seems to be a direct reflection of Banksy himself. The film has a strange multilayer presentation which has you questioning the authenticity of everything you see, just as any Banksy piece would.

I think the film was ultimately staged but realistic at the same time. It asks real questions and presents Banksy and the underground art scene faithfully, but includes the extra trimmings that make it more of a "narrative" than a "documentary". It's almost more of a publicity stunt than anything, but still quality overall. It's clever and achieves what Banksy sets out to do in the first place- raise questions. It fits in nicely with the other stuff Banksy has pulled, such as putting Guantanamo Bay prisoner mannequins in the Tom Sawyer ride at Disney, or stenciling a cop snorting a several-kilometer long line of coke.