Max Leighton | CBC News | Posted: August 20, 2015 11:01 PM | Last Updated: August 21, 2015
The infamous street artist says 'theme parks should have bigger themes'
Image | Dismaland
Caption: Banksy's Dismaland bemusement park in the town of Weston-super-Mare is open now. (Toby Melville/Reuters/Matthew Horwood/Getty Images)
Behold "Dismaland", a theme-park-themed exhibit by British street artist and activist, Banksy.
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: Tourists walk past the entrance to 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
The "bemusement park" is built on the site of the derelict amusement park Tropicana, in the British seaside town of Weston-super-Mare.
It features work from Banksy and dozens of other artists, including Canadian Maskull Lasserre.
"I guess you'd say it's a theme park whose big theme is 'theme parks should have bigger themes," Banksy told the BBC.
There are some classic Banksy themes….
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: A mural is pictured at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: A visitor looks through a board at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: An installation is pictured at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
There's an installation that evokes the death of Princess Diana.
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: A sculpture is seen at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
And another that recalls the documentary Blackfish.
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: An installation is pictured at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
There are traditional theme park favourites like a carousel...
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: People ride a carousel at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
Snacks...
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: A sign is pictured at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
Overzealous security…
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: A performer checks a visitor at the entrance to 'Dismaland' , a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
Disenchanted vendors…
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: A performer stands at a booth at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)
Even a contortionist…
Image | BRITAIN-BANKSY/THEMEPARK
Caption: General view at 'Dismaland', a theme park-styled art installation by British artist Banksy, at Weston-Super-Mare in southwest England, Britain, August 20, 2015. (Toby Melville/Reuters)