Recently I checked out “The Art of Banksy” exhibit at the Del Mar Fairgrounds. Art and the Fairgrounds are two things I rarely associate with each other.
My history with the Fairgrounds is tied mainly to the racetrack. That’s me on the right, many moons ago.
While I am now aware that racing horses is not a popular viewpoint from the perspective of animal cruelty, I admit that back in the day I enjoyed watching many a thrilling race as the horses and jockeys ran neck-to-neck.
Back to Banksy…I knew very little about him before seeing the exhibit, and apparently he likes it that way. Photos of him are impossible to find, and his street art pops-up unexpectedly (temporarily and illegally). When I first entered, I thought, “Oh crap, I’m going to have to check in my camera.” Nope…the security area was part of the exhibit itself, having to do with Banksy’s Dismaland work.
Dismaland was a temporary art project in the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare in Somerset, England. Like most of Banksy’s work, it was prepared in secret, and opened August 21, 2015, closing September 27, 2015. The artist described it as a “family theme park unsuitable for children.”
A map of the park took up a large wall of the exhibit:
T-shirt art:
This trio of work includes “Toxic Mary,” meant to be a social critique on the toxicity of religion as well as the relationship between mother and son.
Banksy would appear to have a very dark view of life, and loves to point out the evils of crass commercialism. The piece below, titled “Napalm” (2004), takes the famous horrific image of Kim Phúc from the Vietnam war in 1972 and sandwiches her between Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald, blissfully guiding her forward.
One of the more lighthearted pieces was part of the “Pulp Fiction” series where Banksy replaced guns with bananas.
I can’t disagree that Hollywood often leads the world into paranoia and other conspiracy delusions.
Besides prints, stencils, and sculptures, the exhibit had a number of rooms with video installations. This one was particularly cool.
While I found the exhibit to be a bit on the depressing side, Banksy is definitely brilliant, and his dark satires definitely make you think. I’m just not sure how many people at the Fairgrounds actually understood the messages. Another favorite of mine was “Love Is In The Air” (2003). War and love are mixed together in a very powerful image.
“Christ With Shopping Bags” (2004) shows Jesus weighed down by shopping bags, aka consumerism.
The message of “Trolley Hunters” (2007) is brilliant: it compares how our ancestors had to gather food vs. the modern day trials and tribulations of going to the grocery store. Hunted animals are replaced by trolleys, aka grocery carts. FYI: Banksy is British!
“Simon Cowell judges the Ballet” (2019) was one of the more amusing pieces. The idea of sticking the critical Cowell in the middle of a Degas painting is genius.
Towards the end of the exhibit is a large wall of various stencil/grafitti art colorfully lit:
While I appreciated the message of “There Is Always Hope” sprayed on the wall, it seemed at odds with the dark and depressing (albeit brilliant) showcase that was on display.
The exhibit was capped with a wall where people could put their own messages. Did the kids even understand a fraction of what they had seen? Did the parents? It would be interesting to hear what dialogue transpired after these families shared the art together.
Do I recommend it? Hell yes. It was a very well curated and installed exhibit. You can find more info at The Art of Banksy “Without Limits” website.
See more Del Mar Fairgrounds photos at my main website.
2 comments:
Thank you! Last Friday I went to the Del Mar Fairgrounds for a "Junk Hunt" or something. The son of Leroy Schmaltz ( one of the founders of Oceanic Arts ) unearthed some unsold treasure from his dad's now defunct business. I went there to see what I could find, but it was indeed, junk. Next door I noticed the Banksy exhibit. I knew exactly who he was. He has his moments, but not a fan. When brilliance is wrapped in nihilism it's hard to swallow. Still, as you said, he did have some clever social satire and commentary. I hope Banksy gets the mental help he needs someday. Maybe the art will help him work through whatever. That security checkpoint is diabolical. The real art is in watching how many people comply without question, or anyone attending the "metal detectors." Dismaland looks great, like a cross between Slab City and Andersonville Prison. Any dark ride with a mushroom cloud and the grim reaper at the end sounds on par with a good park going experience.
Bummer the "Junk Hunt" lived up to its name! I truly wonder what kind of upbringing/childhood Banksy had! Hopefully his art is therapeutic for him, if not at least filling his bank account! As always, your commentary brightens my day!
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