The Thai audience is in luck, because the world-class exhibition The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits" has arrived at MOCA BANGKOK, displaying the ideas and behind-the-scenes stories of over 150 amazing art creations for viewers to understand more about Banksy's identity.
Here are some of the highlights from The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits" that visitors should not miss.
- Bringing together over 150 Banksy masterpieces in one place for the first time!
This is a rare opportunity for Banksy fans to appreciate more than 150 renowned Banksy's creative art pieces, such as Girl with Balloon, a graffiti of a little girl with a heart-shaped balloon that is one of Banksy's iconic works. This image is a graffiti piece that employs the artist's signature stencil technique, and it is so intriguing as many people try to figure out what the girl did: whether she tried to catch the balloon in the air or let it fly from her hand. Its simple yet thought-provoking style has made this stencil mural famous all over the world. It became even more memorable when a framed copy of the artwork was auctioned off at Sotheby's in 2008, and seconds after the closing bid of a stunning 1.2 million dollars, the artwork began to self-destruct via a hidden mechanical paper shredder.
Visitors will also see another iconic work of Banksy on social and gender violence, The Flower Thrower, an image of a man wearing a cap and a scarf covering his solemn face, throwing a colorful bouquet of flowers that reflect the colors of the LQBTQIA+ people's flag instead of throwing a rock or an actual grenade used by violent demonstrators. Many people have associated their opinions with the interpretation that Banksy was attempting to communicate a satirical message of his opposition to violence against LQBTQIA+ people after seeing this graffiti.
- A critical story about refugees told through "Welcome Mat", a doormat composed of immigrants' life jackets.
One of the original art works featured in this exhibition is a collaboration under the Banksy x Love Welcomes project, which aims to assist female refugees in their migration and settlement. Following Banksy's concept and design, all the mats are hand-sewn by female refugees who are paid to produce them, making each one of the mats unique and one-of-a-kind in the world. The featured artwork incorporates fabric from orange life vests abandoned on the beaches of Greece by refugees who were successfully transported ashore.
- BANKSY's COVID-19-era artwork, which converts the artist's own bathroom into a cool art place, generating a global buzz.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, Banksy posted photos on social media of his bathroom, which had been transformed into an artwork featuring nine rats in various locations. Images show mischievous rodents causing mayhem in the bathroom, with one noting how many days the lockdown had lasted. Another cute component of this artwork was Banksy's Instagram caption for these pictures, which said, "My wife hates it when I work from home," scribbled on the wall of his bathroom. Fans couldn't help but smile when they saw this amusing artwork, which combines the art of toiletry installation with a mix of 2D and 3D art. During the COVID-19 pandemic, these images became a buzz because even Banksy himself also had to work from home by working in his own home. There will be a simulation of Banksy's art space in the bathroom in the forthcoming The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits" exhibition, as if his actual bathroom had been brought into the display.
- Learning about quizzical art through Banksy's massive art installations.
Dismaland is a temporary exhibition held at Weston-super- Mare's beachfront rest area in Somerset, England. The project was constructed in secrecy at Tropicana, a desolate retreat transformed into the evil side of Disneyland, which launched on August 21, 2015, and closed 36 days later. The exhibition drew a record-breaking 150,000 visitors. Banksy described it as a family theme park that was not appropriate for children. He developed dozens of new art works and funded his own "Evil Disneyland," which featured 58 of the 60 artists invited by Banksy. Murals were later added to these buildings. Meanwhile, another famous political project by Banksy was an exhibition called The Walled Off Hotel, which was presented in a hotel in the State of Palestine. The hotel was furnished with works of art representing the conflict between the Palestinian state and Israel. It later became a well-known Banksy art installation project, highlighting the significance of England's role in this invasion. The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits" exhibition will also include souvenirs from the show.
- Ending on a high note in the Infinity Room of Banksy's mind, appreciating art in a new way.
The Infinity Room, one of the exhibition's centerpieces, employs mirror reflection techniques combined with video installation techniques to broadcast over a hundred of Banksy's artworks on glass, providing an incredible 360-degree panoramic view. The audience will be thrilled to explore Banksy's artworks in a new dimension. After admiring the artist's numerous works, this area will transport you into Banksy's mind. The Infinity Room will also serve as a preferred spot for visitors to take check-in photos as a souvenir.
MOCA BANGKOK has announced the extension of The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits" exhibition through February 12, 2023, providing more opportunities for street art enthusiasts and the Thai public to experience social reflection through the artworks of Banksy, a globally renowned anonymous street graffiti artist. The exhibition includes over 150 Banksy artworks from collectors as well as some of Banksy reproductions employing stencil techniques. Visitors will discover a range of stories awaiting to be told and will be able to ask questions regarding the artworks on display in this exhibition. Visit Zipevent at https://bit.ly/3f7EDgi and MOCA BANGKOK's ticket offices to see promotions and purchase tickets.
The Art of Banksy: "Without Limits" exhibition opens from now until 12 February 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Thai Art (MOCA BANGKOK).
Source: ชมฉวีวรรณ