Well, we had to keep a secret a little longer than we wanted to, but finally today, we have been able to announce our exclusive interview and cover story with Banksy, but also get to be on the ground to preview his newest and largest project to date, Dismaland. Set inside an old public swimming pool facility in the English coastal city of Weston-super-Mare, Banksy told us that is situated for the perfect art audience. Let's take a look inside...
Well, we had to keep a secret a little longer than we wanted to, but finally today, we have been able to announce our exclusive interview and cover story with Banksy, but also get to be on the ground to preview his newest and largest project to date, Dismaland. Set inside an old public swimming pool facility in the English coastal city of Weston-super-Mare, Banksy told us that is situated for the perfect art audience.
As Banksy told us, "Like so many projects, it started with a gap in the fence. Eight months ago, I came to Weston on a windy day, and one of the boards on the gate had blown down. From the first glimpse through the gap, I was smitten. I used to come here swimming as a kid, but no one’s been inside for fifteen years." And with a damp, dark and cloudy day on the coast, it all seemed quite perfect.
To start off, you enter through a tough round of security. Tough in the cardboard sense. And each worker is particularly dismal, acting or not. Good touch.
Of course, the centerpiece of the entire park is the castle, with an amazing installation of Cinderella's Carriage by Banksy inside, the highlight of the park.
The park features 3 main art galleries, with a bunch of great artists including Jeff Gillette, Zaria Forman, Josh Keyes, Scott Hove, Paco Pomet, ESPO, Bast, Paul Insect, Jenny Holzer, Damien Hirst, Escif, James Joyce, Dietrich Wegner, Ben Long, Kate MacDowell, Jessica Harrisson, Polly Morgan, LUSH, Ronit Baranga, Ed Hall and so much more we can't even count. And of course, a few new Banksy paintings.
Ben Long's majestic horse...
A great touch of Dismaland is all the places with anti-authority history, as well as a wonderful booth of a "Comrades Advice Bureau." A good zine booth is nearby as well...
