some sort of Banksy retrospective
A new section was introduced today on banksy.co.uk, Banksy’s official website. It is labelled a “theme park”. It has some nice pictures of Dismaland from the book “Are we there yet?”, a photojournalistic document on Dismaland and its aftermath by photographer Barry Cawston.
Today’s Financial Times extensively features Banksy and his relationship with Palestine. The interview is done via e-mail by Jan Dalley, the FT’s arts editor. Comes with a new Banksy drawing of the three wise men. You can read the interview here: Banksy goes to Bethlehem
The documentary about the performance will be screened on BBC Two on Sunday, 17 December at 9 PM, and is said to follow Boyle overcoming the “many restrictions” to find a cast, crew and local children and put together the show in six weeks. The performance took place on 3 December and was co-directed by Bethlehem-based Riham Isaac.
Banksy created a promotional image for the documentary showing a drone watching over the nativity scene. (Source: BBC)
Photo: BBC
British artist James Ame, a.k.a Ame72, was caught in a photo in early December by a British tourist outside the Milk Grotto chapel in Bethlehem in front of a recently confirmed artwork by Banksy. Mr Ame is holding a spray can and part of a stencil which seems to fit with the star in the artwork.
James Ame participated in an exhibition curated by Steve Lazarides in Herzliya Marina in Tel Aviv in March 2017. Banksy opened his Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem, just 80 km from Tel Aviv, in March 2017. Steve Lazarides is Banksy’s former agent. According to James Ame’s website – http://www.ame72.com – he also participated in The Cans Festival in London, the collective street art exhibition organized by Banksy in May 2008. A publicity stunt by Steve L, or is James Ame a member of the Banksy street art crew?
On 3 December, there were two street art pieces unveiled. The first depicts two angels trying to open the Segregation Wall with a crowbar. Supposedly it was painted some days ago but hidden from the public eye with a banner. The second one is a text-based stencil with a sharp message in the centre of Bethlehem.
The Alternativity is an alternative Christmas play by UK director Danny Boyle and performer Riham Isaac. Premiered on 3 December at the Walled Off Hotel in Bethlehem.
The British government signed the Balfour Declaration on 2 November 1917, announcing support for establishing a “national home for the Jewish people” in Palestine, then an Ottoman region with a minority Jewish population. It read:
His Majesty’s government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavours to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine, or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country.
Banksy commemorated the Balfour declaration with an apology on the segregation wall a few meters from his Walled Off Hotel and a small ceremony with a Queen Elizabeth impersonator.
An official statement from Banksy read:
“This conflict has brought so much suffering to people on all sides – it didn’t feel appropriate to ‘celebrate’ the British role. The British didn’t handle things well here. When you organise a wedding,” referring to the promise of a Jewish national homeland in Palestine, “it’s best to make sure the bride isn’t already married.”
Inside the Walled Off Hotel is an interesting museum on the situation created by the Balfour Declaration, curated by the Banksy team and Dr Gavin Grindon from Essex University.
Two new Banksy murals have appeared on the walls of the Barbican Centre in London. Both pieces were confirmed on 17 September on Banksy’s Instagram account. The first piece depicts Banksy’s version of “Boy and dog in a Johnnypump” by Basquiat. The second motive is possibly comparing the Basquiat exhibition with the London Eye tourist attraction. Jean-Michel Basquiat started his career as a street artist in New York.
Banksy’s announcement reads: “Major new Basquiat show opens at the Barbican – a place that is normally very keen to clean any graffiti from its walls”
Photos: Banksy’s Instagram
Banksy’s critique of the military-industrial complex is a child’s drawing where part of the story is told outside the frame. The piece connects two recent Banksy: The stick figure and her/his house from the Bristol street art piece in June 2016 and the three drones above Jesus Christ at Walled Off Hotel. Published on Banksy’s Instagram account today with the following announcement:
“My contribution to the Art the Arms Fair exhibition, which opens opposite the world’s biggest arms fair – held this week in London”
Photo: Banksy’s Instagram
Banksy published two new pieces on Instagram today together with the following announcement:
“Opened a gift shop today – situated at the back of the Walled Off Hotel. Not to be confused with the “Banksy shop” next door – which has nothing to do with me at all. Hand painted mini souvenir separation walls now available. http://www.walledoffhotel.com”
The description of the piece to the right goes like this: “Military grade grappling hook and combination spiritual ornament. All proceeds stay in the local community.”
Photos: Banksy’s Instagram
Banksy unofficial 