Thousands Queue To Experience Bansky's Dark 'Dismaland' Exhibition
By Stephanie Chase in Bizarre / Weird Wonderful on 22 August 2015
The seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare is hosting the artist’s new exhibition.
‘Dismaland’, the new exhibition by artist Banksy is causing crowds of thousands descend upon the seaside resort of Weston-super-Mare in the hope of getting tickets. The exhibition offers a dark and twisted take on a Disneyland style theme park, with installations including a distressed looking castle and an overturned Cinderella’s carriage.
Speaking to local paper The Weston & Somerset Mercury, the reclusive artist said, “I loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour. I hope everyone from Weston will take the opportunity to once more stand in a puddle of murky water eating cold chips to the sound of crying children.”
Queues are said to have stretched for half a mile with thousands desperately trying to get the opportunity to enjoy a day at Dismaland. But the long queues might just be all part of the Dismaland experience, as the attraction’s website wasn't letting tickets be purchased earlier in the week, causing some to think it was all a ploy by the artist.
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Inside the attraction visitors can experience sights such as 'Mini Gulf’ a crazy golf course made from the hockey pitch from the Cheltenham Ladies college, a Punch and Judy show which references Jimmy Savile and Fifty Shades of Grey, a surreal looking Little Mermaid statue and an overturned Cinderella’s carriage which echoes the death of Princess Diana with paparazzi shown outside the wreckage.
According to The Mirror experts have predicted the exhibition could bring in an extra £7 million to the town thanks to the influx of tourists. "Since the first rumours surfaced of Banksy's presence in the town, local accommodation providers have reported an increase in bookings by over 20 per cent,” Visit Somerset CEO John Turner said.
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"The infamous association with Banksy will forever bring a new generation of visitors to the town looking for a chic, quirky and funky experience. This could be the biggest thing to happen to Weston since The Beatles came to town in 1963," Mr Turner added.
The exhibition also features work from other artists such as Mike Ross, Jenny Holzer, Damien Hirst, and David Shrigley. The attraction will also see musical performances from Pussy Riot and Massive Attack over the coming weeks.
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