Far, far away from London, inside the walls of a derelict seaside swimming resort in Weston-Super-Mare, Banksy has waved his magic, irreverent wand, and with the help of various artistic friends, transformed the once decaying ruin into a decaying, satirical parody of twentieth first century subculture. Welcome to Dismaland…

The enticing brochure reads:

Are you looking for an alternative to the soulless sugar-coated banality of the average family day out? Or just somewhere cheaper. Then this is the place for you—a chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism. Instead of a burger stall, we have a museum. In place of a gift shop we have a library, well, we have a gift shop as well.

Bring the whole family to come and enjoy the latest addition to our chronic leisure surplus—a bemusement park. A theme park who’s big theme is: theme parks should have bigger themes…

This event contains adult themes, distressing imagery, extended use of strobe lighting, smoke effects and swearing. The following items are strictly prohibited: knives, spraycans, illegal drugs, and lawyers from the Walt Disney corporation.

Witty, provocative, erudite, it’s Willy Wonka on speed…and how I would love to go..no doubt to see a Hall of Mirrors without the distortions because we’re all being made to laugh at ourselves. Except buying a ticket is apparently a lesson in frustration…..one can’t help smirking at the irony…and wondering if it’s all part of the explosive satire…

 

Laters, Kate x