Exit Through the Gift Shop

Another part of this week’s lecture that stood out to me was the discussion on Asco, and on how many people claimed that they weren’t making art, they were making graffiti. This was relevant to me because I recently watched a documentary called Exit Through the Gift Shop, which is a film by the street artist Banksy that tells the story of Thierry Guetta and his obsession with street art. The film begins with spray painted walls and public spaces, as well as the reaction of the people and the police, taking the viewer on the adventures of a graffiti artist, giving us a feel of the danger involved, as well as the adrenaline and excitement that comes along with this illegal and dangerous art. There is a quote that Banksy says in the film when he appears on screen dressed fully in black, his face hidden, “Street art has a short lifespan so it needed documenting.” I thought his was such a powerful statement to make because he is essentially acknowledging the dangers involved in street art, as well as the mystery that surrounds it. Thus, I gained a lot of respect and knowledge about graffiti and the street artists that are behind it. I came to believe that while it is a heavily critiqued type of art, as many think that spray painting on public property is wrong, this is a form of art. In particular, many times graffiti art is done in for a reactionary purpose, as a way for the artist to get out their frustration on what was going on in society at this time, another topic that was discussed in the lecture.