© 2017 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.
One night, while checking the recordings on my DVR, I noticed a title, Banksy Does New York. Hmmm…spinoff of Debbie Does Dallas?
Discovering that my children were the culprits, they were questioned…who the heck was Banksy?
A world renowned contemporary artist, Banksy got his start spraying graffiti on the streets of Bristol, England. Using a distinctive stenciling technique and dark humor, he has developed a cult-like following throughout the world. His pieces, pop up randomly, sell for thousands of dollars and are amassed by well-known art collectors.
But who is Banksy? Is he young or old? Is he Caucasian or of African or Chinese descent? He is short? Is he tall?
Truth is…no one really knows. Despite his popularity, Banksy has managed to remain anonymous.
Watching Banksy Does New York with my children, I was fascinated. People scrutinize the internet in order to find his pieces, located on walls, streets, bridges and self-built prop pieces in cities throughout the world, before they are removed or defaced. Some are just quick stencils on the sides of buildings. Some have moving parts or actually move through the city, but most have strong political and social statements and almost all are quite humorous.
Imagine my delight to find that Banksy’s exhibit, Laugh Now, was being held at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Amsterdam while I was visiting. No following websites or searching the streets to see a real authentic Banksy! It was across town at MOCO for the price of admission.
Arriving at the museum, tickets in hand, we managed to avoid the lines that formed later in the day, thus proving what a major draw Banksy is. The museum, located inside Villa Alsberg, a townhouse dating back to 1904, is the perfect yang to Banksy’s ying..the old meets the new.
The displays were split between the upper and lower floors of the museum, and was combined with an exhibit on Salvador Dali on the basement floor. Starting on the top floor, first stopping to admire his piece, Forgive Us For Our Trespassing on the staircase landing, we made our way through each of the themed rooms, Anti-capitalism, Laugh Now, Weaponry, There Is Always Hope and CCTV highlighting some of his classics like Laugh Now and Girl with Balloon.
The entrance floor showcased some rescued pieces from the rubble of demolished buildings and other sculptural pieces (Rat-With-Umbrella, Cardinal Sin) as well as one of his famous Mona Lisa pieces and a huge canvas of the famous painting Beanfield which has not been displayed anywhere since 2009.
Finally, moving on to the basement level, we encountered a final, large-scale Banksy…
…as well as a small room with a film documenting his work around the world.
The Salvadore Dali exhibit was also very interesting with many paintings and his famous Mae West Lips Sofa, designed in 1937 and inspired by the lips of actress Mae West. A large-scale melting clock is also on display…a tribute to his most famous painting, The Persistence of Memory.
A gift shop is also located on the lower lever of MOCO selling t-shirts, books and other Banksy and Dali memorabilia.
If taking to the streets in search of a real Banksy is not in the cards for you, make sure to check out one of his exhibitions throughout the world. Definitely worth seeking if you are a fan of graffiti art (like I am) and much easier than scouring the internet and walking through back alleys! But, if the hunt is for you and you are in the Los Angeles or London, try and find some pieces still on the streets.
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF&msa=0&msid=206833562822512571407.00049d25df7020948a997 http://blog.saatchigallery.com/finding-banksy-london
Let me know if you find any!
Check out Facebook, Snapping the Globe and Instagram, @snappingtheglobe for more pictures.
Banksy Exhibition at the Amsterdam Museum of Contemporary Art
- https://www.mocomuseum.com/banksy-amsterdam
- Address: Museumplein, Honthorststraat 20, 1071 Amsterdam
- Hours: 1000-1800, daily through March 29, 2017
- Admission: Adults, 12.50€, Students, 10€, Under 16, 7.50€
- Getting There: The Moco Museum is situated on the Museumplein, opposite of the Rijksmuseum and next to the Van Gogh Museum. From Amsterdam Central Station, take Tram 2 (direction Nieuw Sloten), Tram 5 (direction Amstelveen Binnenhof), stop Van Baerlestraat, Bus 170 (direction Uithoorn, Amstelplein) or Bus 172 (direction Kudelstaart), stops Hobbemastraat or Museumplein. From train station Amsterdam Amstel, take Tram 12 (direction Station Sloterdijk), stop Van Baerlestraat. From train station Amsterdam Zuid WTC, take Tram 5 (direction Centraal Station), stop Van Baerlestraat
- About the Artist: http://www.banksy.co.uk/