Exit Through the Gift Shop

                                                    

A few days ago I finally watched the documentary Exit Through the Gift Shop. I had heard a little about it but wasn't quite sure what it was all about.  The film documents a man enthralled with the world of street art. Thierry, a French man, films graffiti artists as they paint their works throughout LA. He is absolutely obessed with documenting and filming everything in his life.  He eventually meets Banksy, anonymous British street artist. This is when the film turns a little crazy!

Banksy encourages Thierry to create his own artwork. He uses all his money to hire assistants to create his work and a huge exhibition. What amazed me about this film was the sheer amount of work "Mr. Brainwash" creates.  Well, more like guides others to create.  The show drew large crowds due to Banksy's announcement of Mr. Brainwash.  The exhibition displayed an array of pieces, mostly using famous icons as the subjects.  It left me wondering if Thierry's art was really art at all.  In fact, he pretty much ordered around a group of people, directing all their steps in the creative process.

At the end of the film, many of Thierry's employees finished works and made their own decisions because of Thierry's lack of decisiveness.  All in all, the movie is a must-see! It definitely exposed me to more artwork within a field I am not very knowledgeable of.