Banksy banned from Oscars

(Image source)

Banksy's film Exit Through the Tool Shed has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Documentary.

The popular British artist became famous for targeting the media with snarky, anti-consumerist and anti-capitalist stencils, sculptures and lavender scented bath bombs.

Banksy is renowned for maintaining anonymity since his career took off in the 1990s. Does this mean he lives in isolation and never interacts with anyone to maintain his secret?

No.

Many people have benefited since he went viral. Without the web or newspapers he'd be anonymous and unknown.

Anyway, according to The Wrap, at the recent Oscar nominees luncheon Academy executive director Bruce Davis and Academy president Tom Sherak told Exit's producer Jaimie D'Cruz they didn't want Banksy to claim the award if he won:

"'The reason we had that conversation," Sherak said, "was that we had to make sure we were all comfortable with what would happen if he was to win, knowing that he doesn't want anybody to know who he is."
If Banksy isn't comfortable showing his face on the Kodak stage, Sherak said, then the Academy isn't comfortable having him on that stage."

Would the 'documentary' as an art form 'shit itself' if Exit Through the Back Door wins the Oscar?

Who gives a shit. This video is hilarious:

Exit through the gift shop BAFTA nomination

(Image source)

Oscar nomination shortlistee Banksy has received a Bafta nomination for Exit Through the Gift Shop.

The film is in the category for outstanding debut by a British writer, director or producer.

The awards will be presented at London's Royal Opera House on February 13.

Via BBC.

exit through the gift shop pop-up gallery, newtown

(Pop-up gallery entrance, next to Dendy Cinemas)

If you want to see Banksy artworks in Sydney, head to the pop-up gallery next door to the Dendy in Newtown.

What you'll see is a collection of street-inspired artworks by Banksy, Shepard Fairey and other artists. 2026 has also taken up quite a bit of space on the gallery's walls - great to see.

These works are for sale.

Banksy's Queen Victoria is available for AUD$6000.

The irony of this retail concept is Exit Through the Gift Shop mocks the profit-driven exhibition machine.

The film makes statements which criticise galleries and giftshopism where you:

1. Walk into a gallery
2. Inhale some art
3. Get high on its 'transcendental qualities' (oops I just farted)
4. Hand over some money at the gift shop as you leave (I think we're all guilty of this)
5. Place these captured memories on the mantelpiece for friends 2 see

But then, either to take the piss, or as a clever business move, Banksy and Shepsy sell the art they've already publicised in the film.

The gallery closes tomorrow.

banksy hits LA

(La Brea and 4th, Los Angeles)

With a surging web presence ahead of the New York premiere of Exit Through The Gift Shop, a new Banksy stencil was found in LA this week.

It's not the first stencil he did in the US to "create hype" before the film's release. 

Lots of fanbois/gurrls will be lapping this up.

Lap.

Lap dog.

Sniffer dog.

Balloon dog.

Via Banksy Forum

banksy: exit through the gift shop

This short gives you an idea of what Banksy's new film is about. Very, very awesome documentation of the street art movement. Really, really wish i had a widescreen monitor.