The England-based street artist who is only known by the name Banksy stirred quite the amount of controversy after creating a nightmarish version of the happiest place on earth.
Dismaland was unveiled to the public back in August 2015. It was constructed on a gloomy 2.5-acre site situated in Somerset, England. The area was transformed from an abandoned swimming resort into a twisted yet undeniably fascinating work of art courtesy of Banksy and fifty other artists from around the globe.
Welcome to Dismaland: A Satirical Take on Disneyland
The official brochure for Dismaland reads the following:
“Are you looking for an alternative to the soulless sugar-coated banality of the average family day out? Or just somewhere cheaper. Then this is the place for you—a chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism. Instead of a burger stall, we have a museum. In place of a gift shop we have a library, well, we have a gift shop as well.. . . This event contains adult themes, distressing imagery, extended use of strobe lighting, smoke effects, and swearing. The following items are strictly prohibited: knives, spray cans, illegal drugs, and lawyers from the Walt Disney corporation.”
Step inside the saddest place on Earth . . .
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Christopher Jobson
Banksy and a group of talented artists transformed the old Tropicana swimming resort into Dismaland, a five-week art exhibition that parodies Disney
Christopher Jobson
Banksy: ‘I loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour’
Christopher Jobson
‘I guess you’d say it’s a theme park whose big theme is “theme parks should have bigger themes”’
Yui Mok—PA Photos
Though the site boasts eye-popping features, it also has a number of blink-and-you’ll-miss-it art details
Yui Mok—PA Photos
The art exhibition all features Banksy’s signature themes: dystopia, celebrity culture, anti-establishment, immigration, and corruption
Christopher Jobson
Banksy: ‘I banned any imagery of Mickey Mouse from the site’
Christopher Jobson
‘It’s a showcase for the best artists I could imagine’
Christopher Jobson
For Dismaland’s entire run, 4,000 tickets were made available for guests to purchase per day. Each ticket was priced at $3.65 each.
Yui Mok—PA Photos
According to visitors, the Dismaland experience is enough to make you question the world we live in. The artists make their strong stance against consumerism clear in all of the artwork in the exhibition.
Yui Mok—PA Photos
In the park, you can’t have your portrait sketched, but you can opt to have the back of your head drawn as a token
Christopher Jobson
Children are not advised to head to Dismaland as several of the images are beyond disturbing
Yui Mok—PA Photos
Visitors who wish to enter the park will undergo an oppressive screening process. Guests who are chosen to enter are asked not to bring any of the following: spray paint, marker pens, and knives. Oh, and Disney lawyers are strictly prohibited from entering the premises.
Yui Mok—PA Photos
‘Are you looking for an alternative to the soulless sugar-coated banality of the average family day out? Or just somewhere cheaper’ is etched on the park’s brochure
Christopher Jobson
‘Then this is the place for you—a chaotic new world where you can escape from mindless escapism. Instead of a burger stall, we have a museum’
Christopher Jobson
‘In place of a gift shop we have a library, well, we have a gift shop as well’
