exit through the gift shop
July 09, 2010
"... I didn't think there were any rules ... " - Banksy
By Erica Keppel
Like it, or lump it Street Art is all around us. Mark this one on your “Must Watch” list. Regardless of your stance on street art, the latest Bansky film ‘Exit Through the Gift Shop’ will open your eyes, take you on a journey and even make you laugh.
The film offers an engaging and fresh probe into the under world of some of the globes biggest street art names. Blatantly playing with the audience’s perception of what constitutes a documentary, and more importantly – what constitutes Art, the production raises some poignant themes. Part documentary, part art film - prepare to be unprepared for this one.
Banksy, in the underworld of global Graffiti, is one of the most highly revered and successfully illusive Street Artists, whose works adorn many a façade, wall or empty lot in the UK (namely London) ... and more recently the homes of art collectors and celebrities around the world. His works are as obscure as they are seemingly random. Many speak heavy political undertones, and almost all of which are gasp worthy. The concept, the craft and the commitment behind such work is often surpassed by contention from authority, though there is a much deeper and admirably persistent side the likes of Banksy, and Exit through the Gift Shop explores this notion to a new degree.
The story follows a highly eccentric and by the end, comically formidable Frenchman ‘Theirry Guetta’. Theirry’s progressive and undying obsession in documenting street art, develops into the hot pursuit of Banksy and his work. Following various twists and turns, the man’s adventure eventually arrives at an almost offensive coagulation of hype and illusion within contemporary art. Highlights throughout the film include authentic footage of notable street artists doing their thing, and the accompaniment of Bansky’s own dry and cutting humour filtered through in excerpts.
Prepare to be engaged, surprised, sucked in and questioned. Enter through the Gift Shop is a clever, colourful, quirky and highly contemporary piece, not to be missed.
Check out where Enter the Gift Shop is playing near you. Erica strongly recommends St Kilda's Palace Cinemas at The George - where you can enjoy a drink in a relaxed and unassuming atmosphere Palace Cinemas
To tell us what you thought of the film, contact us here at Artisan
