"Look Inside Banksy’s Creepy Disney-Inspired Amusement Park"

[Castle Cake Apologist]

The only part that saddens me is that Banksy is considered an artist.....

How so? His art offers brilliant social commentary. Ya know, the very function of art.

 

[draybook]

How so? His art offers brilliant social commentary. Ya know, the very function of art.

So does Lady Gaga's antics, according to some people. I'm not about to crown her the next Michaelangelo.

 

[dave&di]

I don't see it as a dig as Disney, i believe he is trying to teach realism not escapism and Disney is the most obviously choice. I'm from the UK and don't get it personally, I think the public will walk away baffled but with all the hype here in the UK loads of people will pay to enter, I've seen photos today of the queue to enter and its long!

 

[Bairstow]

I don't think Disney can do anything. My reasoning is no one in the media gave out the identity of Banksy without it being an internet hoax. What is known about Banksy is the hometown being Bristol, England.

That means Disney really can't sue this person since Banksy isn't really the persons name. All is known is Banksy got his or her start as a graffiti artist in 1990-1994 time period without giving out their legal name due to graffiti being a crime.

It wouldn't be that difficult for Disney to find someone to sue- just go after Banksy's commercial presence and sue whoever's taking up money.
If they wanted to send a C+D letter (or whatever the UK equivalent is) they would just show up at the front door.
However, the bigger issue is that Banksy would likely be protected by the same sort of fair use exceptions to the copyright laws that we enjoy here in the US. It's fairly clear that Dismaland is at least an attempt at parody and criticism.

So it is art, but whether or not it's clever art is up for debate.

 

[Dead2009]

Sounds like Sonny Bunch isnt amused. There's always one.

 

[Magenta Panther]

Taking aim at the patented Disney happy-and-wholesome formula is too easy. Not impressed.

 

[Magenta Panther]

I actually think it is a great social commentary... Great statement on society at so many levels IMO.

How is it a commentary on society, exactly?

 

[pumpkin7]

It's only down the road from me! But yeah... I don't really want to go.

 

[copcarguyp71]

How is it a commentary on society, exactly?

Showing a darker side of the same perspective IMO. Taking something that is light and rosy and twisting it . How something so ludicrously outlandish could be enjoyed by some is equally as outlandish as deifying a mouse. Also I believe the Killer whale is a commentary on the whole animal enslavement movement regarding the mammals at Sea World. Art is truly subjective and what I see then others may not. I never expect anyone to subscribe to my thoughts or opinions...just putting them out there. I enjoy (and on some levels love WDW)...and I enjoyed this as well.

 

[RiceCrispyMickey]

I'm from Weston-Super-Mare (where the exhibit is based) and my parents still live there. We are taking a trip back in a few weeks to go to Dismaland lol! Banksy is an incredible artist (as i'm sure are the other exhibitors) - i'm sure it will be an extremely bizarre (but fun) experience! I'll share some pics after we have been if I remember My mum's already been - she queued up yesterday for local's day - banksy in weston is going to be a real boost for the local area so i'm really really pleased!

 

[Maelstrom Troll]

Doesn't do it for me. It seems that Disney satire is very popular these days almost to the point of being played out. I think I would have been more impressed seeing this 5 years ago but then again probably not.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Honestly..............it looks like junk. I don't care about it mocking Disney, that's not what I think of when I think it is junk. It just looks like a scummy place. Where are the rides? It wouldn't be worth a cent for me.

 

[NonnaT]

"Art is the most intense mode of individualism that the world has known." Oscar Wilde...
I might add, there is always controversy surrounding great art. It sparks a conversation. Banksy has an incredible imagination and is enormously talented. Whether you enjoy his art is in individual taste. But you cannot deny he has an amazing talent!

 

[ynahtebwdw]

Honestly..............it looks like junk. I don't care about it mocking Disney, that's not what I think of when I think it is junk. It just looks like a scummy place. Where are the rides? It wouldn't be worth a cent for me.

It's an art exhibition, not a theme park. There isn't supposed to be any rides.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

It's an art exhibition, not a theme park. There isn't supposed to be any rides.

Fine, but it still looks really junky

 

[WDWdjphob]

Fine, but it still looks really junky

I can't tell if you're joking or not... It's supposed to. It's called DISMALand for pete's sake.

 

[JoeRohdesEarring]

I wish I were in the UK so I could visit this installation in person. Banksy is a brilliant artist and societal commentator in an era where they are in short supply. The Disney-inspired work is only one component - there are over fifty artists represented apart from Banksy. The scale of the project is remarkable as an art event.
I think my favorite piece that I have seen thus far is the Princess Diana-echoing Cinderella coach crash. The concept is incredible and the execution breathtaking.

 

[Victor Kelly]

Cindys dress is the wrong color.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

I can't tell if you're joking or not... It's supposed to. It's called DISMALand for pete's sake.

No, I'm not joking, I see the irony of it. Looks like a waste of time.

 

[Maelstrom Troll]

Is everyone reading off of the same wikipage? If I hear one more person say Bansky is a brilliant artist and social commentator.......