Dismaland, a dystopian “bemusement” park orchestrated by the British artist Banksy, opened in a blaze of publicity yesterday, 20 August, in the somewhat faded seaside resort of Weston-Super-Mare in England. The pop-up exhibition, a dark, distant and unofficial relation to the theme park invented in sunny southern California, features ten pieces by Banksy. They include Cinderella’s overturned carriage (the maid turned princess as a tragic Princess Diana-like figure). The scene is lit up by the flash photography of a pack of paparazzi. Other artists, including Damien Hirst, David Shrigley and Jenny Holzer, have contributed to the show. Visitors will be able to eat their cold chips to the sound of children crying, see a passenger making lasagne from one of the carousel horses or—in a nod to the migrant crisis—navigate the high seas with “Banksy’s Mediterranean boat ride”. Dismaland is open until 27 September; admission is £3 and free for under fives; although, given that the park is “unsuitable for children”, adult discretion is advised.
