Film, Talk, etc.

So I saw Exit today.
I am still unsure as to what exactly my response is to it. On one hand, it is very entertaining, quite funny, and you do learn a bit about the history of street art. But on the other hand, you really have no clue if it is remotely the truth.

There is a lot of speculation about the authenticity of the film in regards to the roles of Banksy and Shepherd Fairey in the sudden arrival of both the film and MBW (Mr. Brainwash). Mainly, is it true or all, including MBW, just a big joke? When you look at the art itself, there are some very serious resemblances between the men's work, with MBW onwhat I could only label as a "sloppy level." When you do some inter-web hunting to find out more about all three artists, you become instantly aware that many others are doing the same - and few are keeping their thoughts to themselves. There are arguments over everything from who is making the art to if Banksy really did the Gitmo blow-up doll at Disneyland (I'm going to stay believing he really did).

Honestly, I would love it if this entire scheme was something Banksy decided to experiment with; if he somehow began orchestrating this ten years ago to either prove a point or test the waters. In this case, he is acting similar to Hirst; pushing the "boundaries" of the art world wherein he proves that it all really is just a bit silly. In the film you see how whirlwind PR turned one show into a event that instantly launched a multi-milliondollar career. MBW had no real prior work - through the PR's push, that suddenly didn't matter. It was one hell of a launch. Whether or not his art is REALLY worth something is slightly besides the point.

In the end, if it all turns out to be Banksy proving the fact that public opinion can be easily swayed into believing in the newest trend (which, we all know is true), I am perfectly ok with it.
Making people see it has generated one more way to fuel art - giving one more motivation to create.

Either way, it was a pretty good movie.