Dismaland: new grotesque art theme park

[crazy4wdw]

Certainly weird and strange. I don't think I'll be heading over to England to see this version of a Disney theme park.

Dismaland: new grotesque art theme park

The seaside town of Weston-super-Mare in south-west England is gray and gloomy when we arrive.

"Welcome to Dismaland," a dead-eyed girl in Mickey Mouse ears greets us at the gates of the old public pool.

We're hassled by testy security guards at metal detectors before we catch sight of the main attraction: a decrepit fairytale castle in a moat of murky water and a crashed police van.

http://www.cnn.com/2015/08/20/arts/banksy-dismaland-art-exhibition/index.html

 

[Whatsthegoodword]

That's sad. Our culture is spiraling down the toilet.

 

[peg110]

Well there is talent there, but I can't say it's the kind I like.

 

[Savagekids]

I love WDW and I love Banksey. I wish people could view both in a positive light. I'd love to see the installation if only I lived closer. Banksey offends some because he challenges our way of thinking. People tend not to like that.

 

[Travis B]

Interesting.

 

[wilkeliza]

I love WDW and I love Banksey. I wish people could view both in a positive light. I'd love to see the installation if only I lived closer. Banksey offends some because he challenges our way of thinking. People tend not to like that.

I love Banksy as well but I always think it is funny when artist who make their living off of commercialism can't stand commercialism. Banksy is only Banksy because people found him (either on their own or through the documentary on him) and started paying for his art. I think going after Disney and theme parks he is going after low hanging fruit.

One thing I do appreciate is Banksy did say this wasn't directly against Disney or anything so he refused to let any images of Mickey. It is more about fake happiness and joy and what we do to create that.

 

[Travis B]

I love Banksy as well but I always think it is funny when artist who make their living off of commercialism can't stand commercialism. Banksy is only Banksy because people found him (either on their own or through the documentary on him) and started paying for his art. I think going after Disney and theme parks he is going after low hanging fruit.

One thing I do appreciate is Banksy did say this wasn't directly against Disney or anything so he refused to let any images of Mickey. It is more about fake happiness and joy and what we do to create that.

I think you're correct - Disney is just an easy target, recognizable worldwide.

 

[Accident]

Disney wouldn't be the happiest place on earth if most places weren't less happy. I like it, it's a nice thought piece and don't think it's "targetting disney" but just using the happiest place on earth to make a bigger impact.

 

[Son of Gadsden]

I see the creativity in it, and I definitely find it interesting. It's typical good art, polarizing.

However, on the other side of it, I'm polarized on the piece, myself. I like it, but then again I am completely annoyed by it. Society is too full of cynics right now and this is no exception. I'm just bored of that attitude. It's overused, and wreaks of sour grapes. This for example, it's easy to take cheap shots at a deadman. I heard one news anchor say "Dismaland would send Walt Disney spinning." Walt Disney was an incredible artist and an innovator. He wasn't just some guy who got lucky with a cheap product. I think it's incredibly disrespectful to treat him as otherwise, especially from a fellow artist. Most of the time cynicism has deep rooted jealousy. I'm sure Banksey fans would scoff at me for saying that, but regardless.

Again, I like Banksey, but I'm not a fan or follower. But I am a follower and fan of Walt Disney, and in my opinion, mentioning the two in the same sentence is an insult to Walt. Walt had a great idea and made it happen with Disney Parks. Haters gonna hate. But at the parts that don't specifically target Disney, they definitely make you think, which I think was his point.

 

[JayRee]

Morbid. Especially the scene near the end.

 

[ChrisFL]

I don't dislike the *idea* of having an alternate universe Disney style park that isn't what it seems, but this version just seems way too grotesque for my liking.

 

[DDLand]

I posted my thoughts about this on another thread, but I repost them here...

They're offering an "escape from mindless escapism." What I'll say is they showcased exactly why places like Disneyland are so beloved.

The world can really suck sometimes.

Walt Disney created a place where families could come together, be safe, and have fun. Where the worries of your life could be put aside for a few brief moments, and you could ride a Pirate Ship, take a RocketShip to the Moon, or go on a Jungle Cruise. Escapism is something important, and with the power of imagination I'd hardly describe it as mindless.

Additionally they also said: 'I guess you'd say it's a theme park whose big theme is - theme parks should have bigger themes.'

Funny he's attacking Disney for that... I'd point him in the direction of: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=disney+animal+kingdom&FORM=HDRSC2

Of course, with his inhumane treatment of animals perhaps that doesn't count?

 

[DDLand]

Also find this amusing...

'It's not a swipe at Disney,' he said today. 'I banned any imagery of Mickey Mouse from the site. It's a showcase for the best line-up of artists I could imagine, apart from the two who turned me down.'


I'm sure she brought those from home...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...d-seaside-bemusement-park-art-exhibition.html

 

[dizzyr]

I've never heard of Banksey until I heard about this.

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

Never cared for alleged artists that take other people art , talent and skill, distort it and think that calling it satire, that makes it alright.

If this Banksy is any good, let him do his own work and not live off the Disney brand or anyone else's.


AKK

 

[PSUTraveler]

DH and I would both go see it, if we lived on that side of the pond.

 

[MN96]

I liked some of it, especially the killer whale, but I agree that it's kind of funny he claimed that he didn't want to swipe at disney

 

[Jess_S]

I don't think this is a swipe at Disney -- at least not primarily. I think he's evoking Disney because of the wholesome, happy associations people have with it and then juxtaposing that with negative aspects of our society to make a point. Boats full of desperate migrants feel that much more wrong against a Disney-esque backdrop.

(The deadpan greeters in mouse ears at the beginning did seem like a bit of a Disney send-up to me though -- only because they reminded me of all of the absolutely miserable people I encountered during my CP. I never understood how so many people could be at Disney and still be unhappy).

 

[Catvondita]

He said its not a dig because its not. He (or she?) is using Disneyland as the model because it's supposed to be some ultimate "happy go luck place". If he used a small random theme park no one knew about it probably wouldn't have the same impact. I hope Disney fans are more open minded. It's just art.

 

[peg110]

He said its not a dig because its not. He (or she?) is using Disneyland as the model because it's supposed to be some ultimate "happy go luck place". If he used a small random theme park no one knew about it probably wouldn't have the same impact. I hope Disney fans are more open minded. It's just art.

it didn't do anything for me. I had more of a "meh" attitude towards it. While I recognize it as "Art" It's not "Art" that moves or inspires me in anyway.

If it moves or inspires someone else, so be it. Just doesn't do it for me.