View source for Dismaland

{{short description|2015 art installation at Weston-super-Mare, England, by Banksy and others}}
{{Infobox event
| title         = Dismaland
| image         = [[File:Logo of Dismaland transparency.png|250px]]
| place         = [[Weston-super-Mare]], [[Somerset]], England
| coordinates   = {{Coord|51.3409|-2.9828|type:landmark_region:GB|display=inline,title}}
| date          = 21 August – 27 September 2015
| website       = {{URL|www.dismaland.co.uk}}
| theme         = [[Art exhibition]]
| organisers    = [[Banksy]]
}}
'''Dismaland''' was a temporary art project organised by [[street artist]] [[Banksy]] in the seaside resort of [[Weston-super-Mare]] in [[Somerset]], England.<ref name="theguardian">{{Cite web|title=Banksy fans flock to Weston-super-Mare after Dismaland show rumours |last=Morris |first=Steven |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=18 August 2015 |access-date=18 August 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/18/banksy-weston-super-mare-dismaland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818170314/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/18/banksy-weston-super-mare-dismaland |archive-date=18 August 2015 }}</ref> Prepared in secret, the [[pop-up exhibition]] at the [[Tropicana, Weston-super-Mare|Tropicana]], a disused [[Lido (swimming pool)|lido]], was "a sinister twist on [[Disneyland]]" that opened during the weekend of 21 August 2015<ref name="bristolpost">{{Cite web|title=Is Banksy about to open a new exhibition in Weston-super-Mare? |work=Bristol Post |date=17 August 2015 |url=http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Banksy-open-new-exhibition-Weston-super-Mare/story-27622659-detail/story.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150819231318/http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Banksy-open-new-exhibition-Weston-super-Mare/story-27622659-detail/story.html |archive-date=19 August 2015 }}</ref> and closed on 27 September 2015, 36 days later. Banksy described it as a "family theme park unsuitable for children."<ref name="bbc._Bank">{{Cite news|title=Banksy Dismaland show revealed at Weston's Tropicana&nbsp;– BBC News |work=BBC News |date=20 August 2015 |access-date=20 August 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-33999495 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820145117/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-33999495 |archive-date=20 August 2015 }}</ref> The aesthetic of the "bemusement park" was potentially inspired by the "Dismayland" series of paintings created by American artist [[Jeff Gillette]], who also participated in the exhibition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/aenpng/jeff-gillettes-subversive-paintings-inspired-banksys-dismaland|title=Meet the 'Slumscape' Painter Who Inspired Banksy's Dystopian Theme Park|last=Holmes|first=Kevin|date=2016-06-28|website=Vice|language=en|access-date=2019-09-07}}</ref>

Banksy created ten new works and funded the construction of the exhibition himself. The show featured 58 artists of the 60 Banksy originally invited to participate. 4,000 tickets were available for purchase per day, priced at £3 each.<ref name="Guardian">{{Cite web|title=Banksy's Dismaland: 'amusements and anarchism' in artist's biggest project yet |last=Brown |first=Mark |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=20 August 2015|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/20/banksy-dismaland-amusements-anarchism-weston-super-mare |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821014840/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/aug/20/banksy-dismaland-amusements-anarchism-weston-super-mare |archive-date=21 August 2015 }}</ref> It received 150,000 visitors in the five-week period it was open. After it closed, the building material for the project was repurposed as shelters for refugees in the [[Calais Jungle]] where he also added murals.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/sep/28/banksy-dismaland-taken-down-sent-calais-build-shelters-jungle-migrants |title=Dismaland to be taken down and sent to Calais to build shelters |agency=Press Association |newspaper=The Guardian|date=28 September 2015 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dezeen.com/2015/12/18/banksy-steve-jobs-mural-jungle-refugee-camp-dismaland-calais-france/ |title= Banksy adds Steve Jobs mural to refugee camp made from Dismaland remains |work=De Zeen |date=18 December 2015}}</ref>

== Development ==
[[File:Dismaland facade.JPG|thumb|The 'Tropicana' swimming pool that became 'Dismaland'|left]]
Local residents of [[Weston-super-Mare]] were told that a Hollywood company called Atlas Entertainment was using the location to film a crime thriller called ''Grey Fox''. Signs proclaiming "Grey Fox Productions" were posted around entrances to the site.<ref name="bbc.seaside">{{Cite web|title=Seaside exhibition 'bears Banksy hallmarks' says author&nbsp;– BBC News |work=BBC News |date=18 August 2015 |access-date=18 August 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-33971304 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818142839/http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-bristol-33971304 |archive-date=18 August 2015 }}</ref><ref name="theg_Welc">{{Cite web|title=Welcome to Dismaland, Banksy's secret pop-up exhibition&nbsp;– video |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=18 August 2015 |access-date=19 August 2015 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/video/2015/aug/18/dismaland-banksy-pop-up-exhibition-video |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818234158/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/video/2015/aug/18/dismaland-banksy-pop-up-exhibition-video |archive-date=18 August 2015 }}</ref> Pictures of its construction began surfacing online in early August 2015, and included a "fairy castle and massive sculptures".<ref name="itv">{{Cite web|title=Banksy 'using film set as a cover for secret new Dismaland exhibition' |work=ITV News |date=17 August 2015 |access-date=18 August 2015 |url=http://www.itv.com/news/2015-08-17/banksy-preparing-secret-dismaland-exhibition/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818050424/http://www.itv.com/news/2015-08-17/banksy-preparing-secret-dismaland-exhibition/ |archive-date=18 August 2015 }}</ref> Holly Cushing, whose name appeared in the credits of a documentary about Banksy and who is often reported to be his manager, was sighted at the construction site before the opening, which made the project less of a "secret".<ref name="itv" /><ref name="vanityfair">{{Cite magazine|title=Is Banksy Out to Ruin Disneyland? |last=Beggs |first=Alex |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=18 August 2015 |access-date=18 August 2015 |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/08/bansky-disneyworld-exhibit-dismaland |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821202955/http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/2015/08/bansky-disneyworld-exhibit-dismaland |archive-date=21 August 2015 }}</ref>

== Works ==
Among the structures photographed prior to the opening were a large pinwheel by [[Banksy]],<ref name="Exclusive">{{cite news|url=http://www.juxtapoz.com/current/october-2015-banksy-s-dismaland-exclusive-interview |work=Juxtapoz, issue 177 |first=Evan |last=Pricco |title=An Interview With Banksy About Dismaland |date=24 August 2015 |access-date=24 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822191933/http://www.juxtapoz.com/current/october-2015-banksy-s-dismaland-exclusive-interview |archive-date=22 August 2015 }}</ref> ''Horse Scaffolding Sculpture'' by [[Ben Long (British artist)|Ben Long]],<ref name="Rat King">{{cite news|url=http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/comment/columns/eleanormills/article1599540.ece?CMP=Spklr-_-Editorial-_-TWITTER-_-thesundaytimes-_-20150830-_-ArtsandCulture-_-229668438&linkId=16670659 |work=Sunday Times |first=Eleanor |last=Mills |title=Banksy: A tantalising brush with the Rat King |date=30 August 2015 |access-date=30 August 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150929074952/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/comment/columns/eleanormills/article1599540.ece?CMP=Spklr-_-Editorial-_-TWITTER-_-thesundaytimes-_-20150830-_-ArtsandCulture-_-229668438&linkId=16670659 |archive-date=29 September 2015 }}</ref> and a twisted truck sculpture, ''Big Rig Jig'' by artist [[Mike Ross (artist)|Mike Ross]] which was previously shown at [[Burning Man]] in 2007.<ref name="metr_Bank">{{Cite web|title=Banksy's opening a post-apocalyptic theme park called Dismaland in Weston-super-Mare |author=Siam Goorwich |work=Metro |date=18 August 2015 |access-date=18 August 2015 |url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/18/banksys-new-dismaland-show-in-weston-super-mare-looks-dark-and-epic-5348355/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150818182219/http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/18/banksys-new-dismaland-show-in-weston-super-mare-looks-dark-and-epic-5348355/ |archive-date=18 August 2015 }}</ref><ref name="stre_Upco">{{Cite web|title=Upcoming: Banksy "Dismaland" Pop-Up Exhibition @ Weston-Super-Mare |work=[[StreetArtNews]].net |date=19 August 2015 |access-date=19 August 2015 |url=http://www.streetartnews.net/2015/08/upcoming-banksy-dismaland-pop-up.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821235237/http://www.streetartnews.net/2015/08/upcoming-banksy-dismaland-pop-up.html |archive-date=21 August 2015 }}</ref><ref name="atla_BigR">{{Cite web|title=Big Rig Jig |author=Nicholas Jackson |work=Atlas Obscura |access-date=19 August 2015 |url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/big-rig-jig |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911025152/http://www.atlasobscura.com/places/big-rig-jig |archive-date=11 September 2015 }}</ref> Works by 58 artists, including [[Jenny Holzer]], [[Damien Hirst]], [[Jeff Gillette]], [[Jimmy Cauty]] and [[Bill Barminski]]  were featured in the park. Banksy said he contacted the "best artists I could imagine" to exhibit, two of whom turned him down.<ref name="Guardian" />[[File:Big Rig Jig at Banksy's Dismaland.jpg|thumb|left|''Big Rig Jig'' at Dismaland in 2015]]Art Historian Dr Gavin Grindon from the University of Essex curated Dismaland's political exhibits, including a bus housing a collection of dangerous and violent objects (from [[Hostile architecture|homeless spikes]] to riot shields and rubber bullets) under the banner of 'Cruel Designs'.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-09-03 |title=Lecturer is a Banksy troublemaker |url=https://www.gazette-news.co.uk/news/13640361.university-curator-in-dismaland-project/ |access-date=2023-08-29 |website=Gazette |language=en}}</ref>

A fake payday loan shop for kids called "Pocket Money Loans" by [[Darren Cullen (cartoonist)|Darren Cullen]] was open next to the children's sand pit. Offering kids an "advance on their pocket money at 5000% interest", the floor had a trampoline installed so the children could jump high enough to read the small print on their credit agreements.<ref name="Guardian"/>

The artist and engineer [[Tim Hunkin]] created a caravan ride for the event. Visitors sat in the centre of the caravan while outside a steward turned a wheel to rotate the entire caravan around them, producing an [[optical illusion]] that the visitors themselves were spinning inside a static room.{{citation needed|date=October 2022}}
[[File:디즈멀랜드(dismaland) 속 작품.jpg|thumb|''Water Cannon Creek'']]
For one exhibit, the books of [[Jeffrey Archer|Jeffrey Archer, Baron Archer of Weston-super-Mare]], a British novelist and former politician who served a prison sentence for perjury, were burned each day in a fire pit.<ref name="usat_Brit">{{Cite web|title=British artist Banksy opens anti-theme park 'Dismaland' |last=Hjelmgaard |first=Kim |work=USA TODAY |date=21 August 2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/08/21/banksy-dismaland-britain/32101165/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821130559/http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/08/21/banksy-dismaland-britain/32101165/ |archive-date=21 August 2015 }}</ref> Every one of the estimated 150,000 visitors to the park entered through a fake cardboard, handpainted security check point created by artist Bill Barminski.
On Fridays there were scheduled performances by musicians including [[Run the Jewels]], [[De La Soul]], [[Damon Albarn]], and [[Pussy Riot]].<ref name="thea_Welc">{{Cite web
 |title=Welcome to 'Dismaland': A Theme Park by Banksy |last=Schwab |first=Katharine |work=The Atlantic |date=20 August 2015 |access-date=21 August 2015 |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/08/banksy-dismaland/401927/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150820231302/http://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2015/08/banksy-dismaland/401927/ |archive-date=20 August 2015 
}}</ref>

Banksy's coin-operated ''Dream Boat'', created for Dismaland, was donated by the artist to the [[Non-governmental organization|NGO]] Help Refugees (now known as [[Choose Love (organisation)|Choose Love]]) in the run-up to Christmas 2018 to help raise money for the charity. The artwork was displayed in Help Refugees' London [[Pop-up retail|pop-up shop]] and members of the public could pay £2 to enter a competition to guess the weight of the piece. The person whose guess was closest to the actual weight would win ''Dream Boat''.<ref>N. Hinde, '[https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/buy-raffle-ticket-for-this-banksy-sculpture-and-choose-love_uk_5c0ff604e4b0ac5371795bb2 Buy A £2 Raffle Ticket And This Banksy Sculpture Could Be Yours]' (11/12/18) on ''[[HuffPost]]''</ref> The 'guess-the-weight' competition was seen as 'deliberately school fair' in style.<ref>Katie Baron, '[https://www.forbes.com/sites/katiebaron/2018/12/22/how-choose-love-made-charity-credible-again-pop-up-sales-storm-towards-1-5m-doubling-2017-total/#758d2f0b4566 How Choose Love Made Charity Credible Again: Pop-Up Sales Storm Towards £1.5m, Doubling 2017 Total]' (22/10/18) on ''[[Forbes]]''</ref>

== Contributors ==
[[File:Dismaland 1.jpg|thumb|Inside Dismaland]]
Contributors of artworks included:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Banksy]]
* [[Bill Barminski]]
* [[Julie Burchill]]
* [[Jimmy Cauty]]
* [[Darren Cullen (cartoonist)|Darren Cullen]]
* El Teneen
* [[Steve Powers (artist)|Espo]]
* [[Ed Hall (band)|Ed Hall]]
* [[Greg Haberny]]
* [[Jeff Gillette]]
* [[Damien Hirst]]
* [[Jenny Holzer]]
* [[Tim Hunkin]]
* [[Andreas Hykade]]
* [[Paul Insect]]
* [[Peter Kennard]] 
* [[Josh Keyes]]
* [[Jani Leinonen]]
* [[Ben Long (British artist)|Ben Long]]
* [[Lushsux|Lush]]
* [[Polly Morgan (taxidermist)|Polly Morgan]]
* [[Mana Neyestani]]
* [[Mike Ross (artist)|Mike Ross]]
* [[David Shrigley]]

{{div col end||15em}}
A full list was published on the Dismaland Web site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dismaland.co.uk/artists|title=Artists — Dismaland Bemusement Park|work=dismaland.co.uk|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160205052519/http://dismaland.co.uk/artists/|archive-date=5 February 2016|df=dmy-all}} Full list of artists</ref>

Contributor [[Shadi Alzaqzouq]] from Palestine covered up his work with a bedsheet bearing a slogan in protest at the presence of Israeli artists; the covered work remained in place. The work was uncovered days later with a statement by the artist.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Horton |first1=Helen |title=Israel protest artist's work stays at Dismaland |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11832680/Israel-protest-artists-work-stays-at-Dismaland.html |work=Telegraph |date=29 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151220161409/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/11832680/Israel-protest-artists-work-stays-at-Dismaland.html |archive-date=20 December 2015 }}</ref>

Musical guests for the opening night of Dismaland included DJs Breakbeat Lou, [[Peanut Butter Wolf]], and [[DJ Yoda]], along with a surprise appearance by rapper [[Mos Def]] (now known as [[Yasiin Bey]]).{{citation needed|date=February 2025}}

== Reception ==
[[File:Dismaland queues 3.JPG|thumb|Visitors queuing for tickets]]
High demand for tickets to the exhibition caused the Dismaland website to crash repeatedly. Some wondered whether or not this was deliberately contrived by Banksy as part of the irony of the Dismaland experience.<ref>{{cite web|author=Matt Payton |title=People trying to buy tickets don't think Banksy's Dismaland is real |url=http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/21/people-trying-to-buy-tickets-dont-think-banksys-dismaland-is-real-5353966/ |publisher=Metro.co.uk |date=21 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150821195452/http://metro.co.uk/2015/08/21/people-trying-to-buy-tickets-dont-think-banksys-dismaland-is-real-5353966/ |archive-date=21 August 2015 }}</ref>

Many celebrities were attracted to the venue, some international, such as [[Brad Pitt]], [[Jack Black]], [[Neil Patrick Harris]], [[Nicholas Hoult]], [[Wayne Coyne]], [[Russell Brand]], [[Ant & Dec]], [[Mark Ronson]], [[Darren Criss]], [[Daddy G (English musician)|Daddy G]], [[CGP Grey]] and [[Brady Haran]].<ref>{{Cite podcast|url=http://www.hellointernet.fm/podcast/48|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151002044315/http://www.hellointernet.fm/podcast/48 |archive-date=2 October 2015| title=H.I. #48: Grumpy About Art|website=Hello Internet|host=Grey & Brady| date=29 September 2015|time=<!--this could be added by somebody who has listened-->}}</ref>

The exhibit had a mixed reception from critics. [[Jonathan Jones (journalist)|Jonathan Jones]] in the ''Guardian'' found it depressing: "brings together a lot of bad art by the seaside."<ref>{{Cite web|title=In Dismaland, Banksy has created something truly depressing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2015/aug/21/in-dismaland-banksy-has-created-something-truly-depressing |website=The Guardian |access-date=22 September 2015 |last=Jones |first=Jonathan |date=21 August 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923194011/http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/jonathanjonesblog/2015/aug/21/in-dismaland-banksy-has-created-something-truly-depressing |archive-date=23 September 2015 }}</ref> Dan Brooks in ''The New York Times'' was critical of the easy sarcasm.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/magazine/banksy-and-the-problem-with-sarcastic-art.html |title=Banksy and the Problem With Sarcastic Art |last=Brooks |first=Dan |date=10 September 2015 |work=The New York Times |access-date=22 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150916210928/http://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/magazine/banksy-and-the-problem-with-sarcastic-art.html |archive-date=16 September 2015 }}</ref>

The exhibition proved to be popular with visitors, with many prepared to queue for hours each day for one of the 500 daily walk-in tickets. It brought in 150,000 visitors from around the world, boosting the local economy of Weston-super-Mare by £20m.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/sep/25/banksys-dismaland-closes-weston-super-mare |title=Dismaland closure leaves Banksy-shaped hole in Weston-super-Mare |author=Hannah Ellis-Petersen |date=25 September 2015 |work=Guardian |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161204074636/https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2015/sep/25/banksys-dismaland-closes-weston-super-mare |archive-date=4 December 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Banksy's Dismaland 'gave Weston-super-Mare a £20m boost' |work=BBC News |date=25 September 2015 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-34347681 |access-date=25 September 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925011435/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-34347681 |archive-date=25 September 2015 }}</ref>

In May 2016, it was announced that Dismaland had been shortlisted for the [[South Bank Sky Arts Award]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Banksy's Dismaland up for South Bank Sky arts award |work=BBC News |date=3 May 2016 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36191055 |access-date=3 May 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160503120124/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-36191055 |archive-date=3 May 2016 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[See Monster]]
* [[List of works by Banksy]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commons category}}
* {{Official website|www.dismaland.co.uk}}
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5unfZVeZvs Advertisement] on [[YouTube]]

{{Banksy}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2016}}

[[Category:2015 in England]]
[[Category:2015 in art]]
[[Category:Amusement parks in England]]
[[Category:Art exhibitions in the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:Contemporary art exhibitions]]
[[Category:Arts in Somerset]]
[[Category:Disney parodies]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Somerset]]
[[Category:Weston-super-Mare]]
[[Category:Works by Banksy]]
[[Category:Works by Damien Hirst]]
[[Category:Street art in the United Kingdom]]