One of the most iconic pieces in the Walled Off Hotel collection, David engulfed by a cloud of teargas, has been replaced by a statue of Shakespeare with a Hamlet twist. Whether David has been sold or taken away for restoration is unclear. The Shakespeare statue has reportedly stood in the WOH offices for some time. The pictures of Shakespeare were published on 25 March on Facebook by Walled Off Hotel visitor Jesse Zuefle.
Above, the Shakespeare statue, photos by Jesse Zuefle. Below, David in a cloud of teargas, photo by R.A.
It has been closed for 20 months, but today The Walled Off Hotel posted a hopeful message on Facebook:
“We are pleased to inform you that the hotel doors are open for visits and overnight stays as of today. The museum is still closed due to some maintenance work. Welcome everybody.”
There seem to be some novelties on the ground floor. The section with CCTV cameras has moved to the left of the reception, where the “Mediterranean Seaview” triptych hung before it was donated to charity. Another new piece is the wood-carved model of Jerusalem’s Old Town made by the late Tawfiq Salsaa. The model was on display at Santas Ghetto in 2007 and also at Banksy vs Bristol Museum in 2009.
The wood-carved model of Jerusalem by Tawfiq Salsaa. Photo: @walledoff – The Walled Off Hotel on Facebook
Pictures of the new piece were posted on 1 February on several independent Instagram accounts.
Photos: @francas on Instagram
Walled Off Hotel opened almost two years ago in Bethlehem, only six kilometres south of downtown Jerusalem, but on the other side of the wall. The Hotel is a piece of art in itself and, at the same time, a huge political statement, all mixed with Banksy’s usual charm and wit. A visit is highly recommendable. See the previous post: The Walled Off Hotel. Palestine, March 2017.
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)
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.
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.”
Donald Trump’s visit to Bethlehem was announced on Banksy’s Instagram account on 24 May 2017. The picture of the presidential suite and the video clip of the Trump motorcade were removed a week later.
Banksy unofficial 