Banksy once said, “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.” Banksy, the director of Exit Through the Gift Shop, a documentary that goes through the heart of street art strongly emphasizes that art is not about money, but rather about expression and passion. He supports his argument mainly through his strong visual and audio tactics.
Visuals are much stronger than any other sense. A reoccurring factor that influences the viewer’s thoughts towards the argument is where Banksy focuses the video. Anytime an artist is shown with his artwork, the artwork is centered rather than the artist themselves. Banksy’s purpose is to show that the artist will change and they do not matter as much, but the art will be remembered. If you
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Banksy carefully positions the audio music throughout the entirety of the film. For instance in the beginning of the film, art was being showcased one after another. Banksy placed the art so that it changed with the beat of the music in the background. By doing this, he cause the viewers to wait and anticipate for the next art that was about to show itself. The tactic was effective because it pulled the viewers in and caused them to glance at the art and think about its meaning and purpose. The song that was used, Tonight the Streets Are Ours by Richard Hawley, is an upbeat song that creates a passionate feeling about art. It was not random that this song was chosen, Banksy chose this song because its title supports his argument that the artists are taking over the street to show their personal artwork that takes dedication and courage. A final audio tactic that was used was whenever there was a clip with a certain mood behind it; Banksy would choose a soundtrack that complements the emotion that he wanted to create. During suspenseful times, Banksy would play a track that forces the viewer to watch closely with their heart beating rapidly, one time after another, BOOM…BOOM. The whole purpose of the specific music used was to further support Banksy’s thoughts on what the true purpose of art is. He would only choose songs that showed expression as a priority over money. However, whenever Thierry showcased his art,
The music throughout the film plays a big role in the way it is perceived and the overall tone and message. The directors and producers used background noise and music very wisely in order to convey the emotions of a scene. In the movie, it reaches a certain point where it almost looks as though things are looking up for education. It is when the documentary starts describing the “new acting chancellor of the district of columbia schools”, during this scene the makers want you to really pay attention and become almost shocked by this turn of events. However, they do not only grab your attention by the words and clips shown, but also by the loud, upbeat music that is suddenly played while she is being announced. Also, later in the movie they use this same
His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti done in a distinctive stenciling technique. Such artistic works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.
Banksy is a UK man who lives in London, has a secret identity, faces a dangerous situation, and he has experienced and talented graphic artist. First, Banksy is a man who has a secret identity. For example, he does not want people to see his face or hear his voice even in the movie. Also, when he had his first US exhibition, he was not participating in the show. No one knows what he looks like if he marries or not if he has children or not, where he lives except Thierry.
“Street art is omnipresent in urban streets and is a rish source of inspiration for artistic creativity. . . It possesses the aesthetic voices of the ordinary and enables resistance for the marginalized. Banksy’s street art, in particular, can guide students to think about various social and political issues and to reflect upon the immediate, if not unjust, world in which they live, to transform that world, and to
That was until one day he got a call and his life changed. Banksy was in his area and needed help with his art so Thierry undoubtedly showed up. Banksy allowed Thierry to film only his work and his hands originally, but as they grew closer he started filming more and more. Banksy was the one who initially gave him the idea to go and create his own street art because his “documentary” was failing. Thierry started making his own “art,” except the art wasn’t really his art.
“Exit Through the Gift Shop” is a documentary directed by Banksy, an anonymous street artist, who offers a fascinating point of view on the life of a film maker, whose name is Thierry Guerra. Thierry Guerra is an immigrant from France who’s passion is filming. During a holiday in France he starts to film his cousin who is a famous street artist in France. Guerra captures not only the making of the art pieces but also the risky application on illegal ground. He is so fascinated by this lifestyle that he begins to follow more and more street artists during their work. After meeting the artist ‘Shepard Fairy’ he is convinced of creating a documentary about street art from an authentic perspective.
Throughout this process of making my visual argument I learn a lot. I learned that every picture has been designed a way, which makes the viewer feel a certain way. It all depends on how the creator wanted them to feel. So now when I see a picture or animation I ask myself what is the creator trying to make me feel, and
To fully understand street art as a concept in itself, it is vital to explore why the art is made on, and for, the street. According to Chung (2009) art on the street “allows artists a platform to reach a broader audience than traditional art forms”. This is supported by Young (2016) who argues that the “street is the biggest gallery you could ever want”, the author goes on to note that often a “galleries audience is self-selecting and homogenous”- belonging in an “elitist art world”. This implies that unlike classical art in galleries, street art cannot discriminate and is open and available to everyone despite their background or beliefs. Not only does the street allow the art to be widely seen, its accessibility indicates the ideas of
Throughout the ages, artists express themselves through their works. Art allows one to portray feelings and emotions through a craft. Whether it is a blues musician or a deranged painter, or even just an inspired politician-turned-poet, art reflects the personality and emotions of the creator. Emotions and feelings are based on past experiences. Understanding the motives behind artworks creates a greater appreciation for the artist as well as the craft he produces.
The nature of Banksy’s work is iconoclastic in the way he blatantly designs images to rebel governmental authority or depict the failings of
This, to me, shows that he creates his art for the public to view not to make money off of his artwork.
While well-crafted sound design and sound effects are so very necessary in the creation of a film, music touches the emotion, the psyche, and the things you cannot see. Sound design and effects don’t do this nearly as efficiently and naturally. Without music it would be much more difficult to follow the emotional ups and downs of a film. (Freer)
In the film “Exit Through The Gift Shop” Thierry Guetta, a Los Angeles-based Frenchman decides he loves the idea of recording and starts recording everything he does, soon after this he falls in love with the idea of street art, first introduced to him by his cousin with the street name of Space Invader. Once Thierry ventures in the street art culture he comes across the anti authoritarian artist Banksy. Banksy lets Thierry film him paint street art but decides to turn the camera towards Thierry and gives him the advice to try street art himself. This makes for a great twist in the documentary, played out as a decision of the moment, however many audiences interpret the meaning of the film in different ways. Thierry's transition into a street artist demonstrates Banksy's attempt to mock the art world by documenting an un-experienced middle aged man transition from cameraman to seven figure street artist.
Banksy is a very renowned street artist who keeps his identity unknown. His artwork is portrayed by “striking images, often combined with slogans, [which] engages political themes, satirically critiquing war, capitalism, hypocrisy and greed” (“Banksy Biography”). He first started his bold street art in Bristol, his hometown located in London, but quickly spread to the United States of America. In the U.S., Banksy targeted the most populated cities; this was due to the fact that it was easier for him to spread his messages. With a crowded location, his lessons will extent over an audience much quicker.
The reason he is able to continue to release controversial art in highly populated, public places without consequences to his person solely because of his anonymity, and that his work represents itself enough without him. His work is criticized by many, but as it is an inanimate voice of opinion, Banksy is able to use it to his advantage, and plaster his opinion on current issues, wherever he can/wants.