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Huge New Banksy 'Bemusement Park' Revealed

Huge New Banksy 'Bemusement Park' Revealed

Huge New Banksy 'Bemusement Park' Revealed
Danielle de Wolfe
20 August 2015

After much speculation, the legendary - and reclusive - Banksy has revealed details of his first new exhibition in six years: a 'bemusement park' called Dismaland.

What's more, it's going to be a huge event, featuring a legion of other artists, as well as live gigs. It's going to take place in Weston-super-Mare's derelict Tropicana building, which closed back in 2000, and will run for five weeks.

18 attractions are listed on the exhibition's website, ranging from a Jimmy Savile-referencing Punch and Judy, 'Crazy Gulf' - an oil caliphate themed crazy golf course and a kids enclosure which, "combines soft play and loan shop".

As well as Banksy, there'll be work from Damien Hirst, the KLF's Jimmy Cauty and David Shrigley, who recently hit the headlines for designing the terrifying mascot for Partick Thistle.

Meanwhile, there'll be live gigs every Friday night from the likes of Massive Attack, Pussy Riot, DJ Yoda, Run The Jewels, Sleaford Mods, with DJs promised every Saturday night.

The website warns that the exhibition: "contains uneven floor surfaces, extensive use of strobe lighting, imagery unsuitable for small children and swearing. The following are strictly prohibited in the Park – spray paint, marker pens, knives and legal representatives of the Walt Disney Corporation."

So Walt: you've been warned.

Banksy himself stated: “I loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour. I hope everyone from Weston will take the opportunity to once more stand in a puddle of murky water eating cold chips to the sound of crying children.”

The council have been involved for a while, with all involved having to maintain a vow of silence to keep the event secret. Nigel Ashton, leader of North Somerset Council, said: “We have been working closely with the organisers for months now, and for obvious reasons, have had to remain tight-lipped about the true nature of the event. In fact, only four people in the entire council knew what was really happening.”

It's Banksy's first show in the UK since 2009 and is sure to be a hot ticket: you can buy day (11am-6pm) or night (7pm-11pm) tickets from Friday 21 August on the website, with the site open every day from 22 August until 27 September. You can take a look at the site map below.

1. The Galleries
Dismaland® boasts three large galleries which together comprise the finest collection of contemporary art ever assembled in a North Somerset seaside town.

2. Model Village
Jimmy Cauty’s hand crafted miniature world will delight and amaze (and potentially cause seizures in persons sensitive to strobe lighting).

3. Cinderella’s Castle
Step inside the fairytale and see how it feels to be a real princess. Souvenir photos available.

4. Guerilla Island
Features a bus-mounted museum, library, gallery of guerilla art, Comrades Advice Bureau and workshops in how to hack billboards.

5. Ben Long
has constructed a stallion entirely from used scaffolding.

6. Water Cannon Creek
An armour plated riot control vehicle built to serve on the streets of Northern Ireland. Equipped with sniper posts, grenade launchers and now – a children’s slide.

7. Mini Gulf
An oil caliphate themed crazy golf course made from the hockey pitch at Cheltenham Ladies college.

8. Giant Pin Wheel
Commissioned by Banksy to power the entire site, it turns out this ecological marvel has trouble charging more than two mobile phones at once.

9. Kids Enclosure
Strictly for the little ones – an area that combines soft play and loan shop.

10. Punch and Julie
The infamous Julie Burchill has given this seaside staple a good kicking. Now includes references to Jimmy Saville and Fifty Shades of Grey.

11. Puppets
A puppet revue show constructed entirely from the contents of Hackney skips – it’s ‘Fly Tip Theatre’ by Paul Insect and Bast. Self operated.

12. Jeffrey Archer Memorial Fire Pit
Warm yourself around an authentic real open fire ceremonially lit each day by burning one of the famed local perjurer’s novels.

13. Portrait Artist
Nettie Wakefield renders your likeness in an exquisite pencil drawing, but only the back of your head. Surprisingly revealing.

14. Picnic Area
The humble picnic table proves a rich source of artistic ammunition for American furniture twerker Michael Beitz.

15. Cinema
Truck-mounted outdoor screen playing a rolling program of short films day and night. Cushions not provided.

16. Circus Tent
A gothic sculpture park in a tiny big top tent.

17. Amusements
Win big prizes on hook-a-duck and the shooting gallery. Knock over an anvil in David Shrigley’s game of skill and cunning. Navigate the high seas with Banksy’s Mediterranean boat ride.

18. Big Rig Jig
A masterpiece of post-industrial assemblage art – it’s two juggernauts performing ballet by Mike Ross.