In his response paper Eitan mentioned a documentary he watched recently that changed his views towards art in general and towards the art market in particular – the 2010 Exit Through the Gift Shop: A Banksy Film. Directed by street artist Banksy, it tells the story of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in LA, and his obsession with street art. One consistent theme in reviews of the work was the authenticity of the film itself: was it just an elaborate ruse on Banksy’s part? See the trailer here.
It’s been on my Netflix queue for a while now – I’ll be watching it this week. Report back in class if you do too.
I’ve seen this not too long ago and it also changed my perspective on the art market. In particular, here we have a successful “anonymous” artist who became famous during his life time and his art work is sold at auction yet the money doesn’t go to the artist himself. The artwork is taken from the street, which raises the question of our role to take it in the first place? I’d be interested to hear other opinions on the issue. It is such a huge contrast from the art markets that we are currently learning about.
Its a great movie for inspiration and being a self starter.
However, It calls into question what is Art and an Artist.
There some who also feels this documentary was done with the attempt prove how unschooled the “Art Market” has become. For Instance, Thierry Guetta named he selected is “Mr. Brain Wash” and why that name?
Later critics have taken away that the documentary is a clear “thumbing of the nose” today’s relationship with artist.
Watching this it is a challenging to escape from the underscoring them: Brainwashing!
I actually wrote a paper on Mr.Brainwash it focused on his “contribution” to street art and art in general. Mr. Brainwash is an amazing marketing genius in a more straight out “give me money” way than Banksy, if Mr. Brainwash has talent is another issue. But Banksy certainly doesn’t do all his art for non-profit.
Another great street art documentary (also on netflix) is “Bomb It”. It goes more into the history of tagging and street art through out America, Paris, Brazil and Japan.. I definitely recommend it in addition to “Exit through the gift shop”.
Thanks for this Julia! If I don’t remember to tell everyone in class, remind me – a good addition to our Netflix queues.
I saw this documentary as well, but i have very mixed feelings towards Banksy as a person representing the Street Art Movement.
On one hand, i do like his work, he has his own authentic style and there is an idea (concept) behind his art work, although i wish the political message in his works would not be so obvious, openly oppositional and served on the plate, it doesn’t make you think twice.
But then, on the other hand, i know that Banksy is perceived as the Damien Hirst of the Street Art. None of the actual graffiti artists consider him a legitimate part of the street art. The real street art is still illegal and punished by law, it is not supposed to be for sale on Sotheby’s. And the way he markets himself with this whole “anonymous, brooding and deep” artist image. It is all composed way too well and thoughtful so you can sell it to hipsters and non conformists.
Yet again, it might just be his way of keeping his privacy and rumors just growing around his persona created by people like Mr. Thierry Guetta (or what ever other witty names he created for himself).
This is what bothers me the most, that we will never know what is exactly goes on behind the art? And does it really matter? Should the artist’s persona affect how we perceive the work of art?
There is definitely a lot of grey area in this topic.
… I thought the most underlying theme in this film was that the title “artist” is given to liberally to people who mindlessly throw pieces together and are labeled “genius’”.