Banksy’s Dismaland Theme Park Not Appropriate For Children, Dystopian Bemusement Park Opens In Britain
British street artist Banksy’s latest installation opens Friday in Britain, but beware, parents, this dystopian theme park is strictly adults-only.
Tagged as “The UK’s most disappointing new visitor attraction!” the park uses the Disneyland theme to comment on modern western society and its flaws.
From grumpy guards escorting visitors through airport style security to a rundown Cinderella castle, this dismal resort is designed to give visitors an escape from mindless escapism.
Located in a 2.5-acre defunct seaside resort, the apocalyptic park features artwork from 50 artists including Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer, Bill Barminski, Bast, and Espo among others.
Welcome to Banksy's Disneyland from hell: http://t.co/kqc3QtBKpC #Dismaland pic.twitter.com/XeakWAfZfX
— CNN International (@cnni) August 20, 2015
The park features exhibits like a dead princess hanging out the window of a crashed pumpkin carriage surrounded by paparazzi in a clear comment on Princess Diana’s death.
Meanwhile, a nearby statue of a killer jumping out of a toilet and through a hoop tells the Sea World story.
Down the street, a shop offers children “pocket money loans” with an interest rate of 5,000 percent.
Just so parents don’t get the wrong idea, the park comes with a warning: “This event contains adult themes, distressing imagery, extended use of strobe lighting, smoke effects and swearing.
Lawyers from Walt Disney are also banned.
Welcome to Dismaland: A First Look Inside Banksy's New Art Exhibition / Dystopian Theme Park http://t.co/ZP2fJKKwWj pic.twitter.com/zEkRjCvjRO
— @colossal@mastodon.art (@Colossal) August 20, 2015
The pop-up art exhibit was shrouded in secrecy during its construction with curious tourists being misled by signs describing the location as a Hollywood movie set.
Likewise, newspaper reporters were asked to keep quiet about the park so the surprise wouldn’t be ruined.
Although clearly Disney-themed, Banksy says the park isn’t an attack and has even banned the use of Mickey throughout Dismaland.
Like Banksy’s artwork, the park is a dark comical commentary on our daily lives and the world we live in.
Banksy gained notoriety for using street art to make satirical statements about political issues. His works of art seem to appear randomly on street corners, city buildings and bridges across the world.
His 2010 movie, Exit Through The Gift Shop, earned Banksy an Oscar nomination, though not an award. During the lead up to the awards ceremony, his artwork popped up all over Los Angeles.
His most recent artistic effort centers on the Gaza Strip and highlights the destruction and desolation felt by the Palestinians there. His artwork was designed to highlight “the world’s largest open air prison.”
Dismaland is open for 36 days from August 22 through September 27, and also features short films, a few rides, impossibly tricky fair games, interactive artworks, and random live performances throughout the day. Tickets run just under $5.
[Photo by Matthew Horwood/Getty Images]
