Banksy’s Dark Anti-Disney Theme Park ‘Dismaland’ Gets Unsettling New Trailer
British Graffiti artist and activist Banksy has become quite well-known lately, following the announcement of his summer theme park Dismaland; inspired by a theme park of a slightly different name. Proving that a little darkness can sometimes be a thing of beauty, tickets for this dark dystopian amusement park were sold out immediately after they went on sale Friday, after the frustrating experience of trying to purchase them was sorted that is. For those unable to take a direct trip to the 5 weeks only park the released trailer offers a lovely view inside Dismaland.
Just in time to pack up the kids for a visit before school starts, the trailer for Dismaland ‘bemusement park’ calls forth a family of four to visit the ‘happiest place on earth’, which is quite far from the reality encountered upon arrival. A line from the trailer announces that ‘this is a theme park… like no other.’ The noticeable pause could certainly have ended that sentence since the fact that it is indeed an amusement park could have been called into question.
The picture perfect family immediately encounter trouble as they are greeted by some very bored looking security guards who casually display their ‘cavity search’ gloves and ensure there’s not a smile to be had among them. The 2 minute Dismaland trailer, made by Banksy Films, then follows the family inside to be greeted by a most satirical art exhibit and Banksy’s none too subtle stab at iconic Disney imagery. The theme park displays rides and attractions that comment on race, the ever growing debt and tabloid culture as well as illegal immigration.
A distorted statue of the Little Mermaid sitting in front of Sleeping Beauty’s run down castle, a lady standing in front of a giant wall declaring ‘mediocre’ while selling black balloons announcing “I am an imbecile” are sure fire ways to know that this is far from the average park. Additional images sure to disturb include the carriage crash of Cinderella being heavily photographed by paparazzi, and a whale being forced to jump through a much too small hoop. The family leaves Dismaland having had quite the experience, though contrary to the announcer’s statement, it certainly does not seem as if all their dreams came true.
Located in Weston-super-Mare in England, a small town in England, the large-scale exhibit that is Dismaland features the work of artists hailing from several countries like Syria, the U.S. and Spain; artists include Nettie Wakefield, Damien Hirst, Jenny Dozier, and the KLF’s Jimmy Cauty. Additionally, Banksy’s Dismaland will play host to a series of concerts during its life with Peanut Butter Wolf, Run the Jewels, Kate Tempest, Pussy Riot and Massive Attack scheduled to be among the acts that will be at the bemusement park. Dismaland will be open to the public until September 27th.
[Photo Courtesy of Matthew Horwood/Getty Images]
