Posts from — May 2010

Anyone who goes to see a documentary by Banksy expecting to see a straight-forward, factual film clearly hasn’t thought the matter through. While the film ostensibly is about the life and career of Mr. Brainwash, the nom de graffiti of Thierry Guetta, the likely draw for the audience is not just to see a film by an infamous artist, but the chance to peek behind the curtain at the workings of the enigmatic artist Banksy.  (Is Banksy a person? A group of people? Routinely described as–and portrayed in the film as–a he, could Banksy be a she? Who knows?)  Even as he appears in his own film, Banksy plays the role of The Anonymous One, art trickster, everywhere and nowhere.

Though many are taking the film as essentially true, others doubt the film’s veracity, suspicious that it is yet another Banksy construction, a prank, a sophisticated artistic joke. The film itself is a delight–engaging and entertaining, with footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Space Invaders and other street artists at work.  Banksy’s wry commentary, Guetta’s manic adventures, and Shepard Fairey’s occasional appearance as Greek chorus help to both construct a narrative and ask some questions about street art–its values, its corruption, and its relationship to traditional arts establishments and markets.

In the end, whether the film is rich in facts or fables, it is clearly an extension of Banksy’s work and classic themes–holding up a mirror to the pretentiousness, capriciousness,  and herd mentality of the art world, while questioning the concepts of celebrity, art as business, and art as brand. Brilliant.

“Exit Through the Gift Shop” is currently playing in limited release. Spend a couple of sawbucks, take a date, bring your own paint markers, tag your way home.