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After reading constantly about Banksy and the Oscar nomination on my Twitter feed, I decided to finally review the documentary, Exit Through The Gift Shop.
Before I begin, I am aware of the hoax rumor that has tailed this film. However, participant Shepard Fairey denies this. That said, this does not stop me analyzing this film and its story. While this film revolves around the world of Street Art, it mainly recounts the journey of Thierry Guetta from curious filmmaker to prominent street artist with the moniker Mr. Brainwash. How did Guetta rise so quickly? From observing street artists for years, he knew what to do and what not to do. During this learning process, he teams up with the notorious Banksy, and they make an odd team. The biggest difference comes from one working as a recluse and the other who lives for the camera, moving or still. Looking at that, it makes sense that Guetta shot to instant fame. Beforehand, he made a business selling clothes in Los Angeles and constantly surrounded himself with celebrities.
Despite this skill, the film paints Guetta as a bumbling manipulator. The soundtrack hammers this home with the stereotypical French music playing in the background sometimes. However, as someone who has to put up work, his clumsiness rings true to me. The precious materials lost forever because you dropped them, the pressure and the stress from putting up a show, and the wanting to control what goes up. I understand that. Banksy (Netflix Instantly credits him as director) lays Guetta’s mistakes bare to the world. I do not doubt that Street artists make mistakes themselves, but comparing to Guetta’s mistakes? Wow. Going back to the beginning, the documentary claimed that street art turned into the new punk movement. If true, does that make Guetta the new Malcolm McLaren? The way other Street artists such as Shepard Fairey talk about him gave me this feeling.
On the other hand, if one thinks of this as a hoax, what does that say about Banksy? Does this show that after living a life of mystery and monikers, he does not want to hide anymore? Does this film represent Banksy’s subconscious need to at least give something concrete to the world who only know him by his art? Then again, since he depicts Guetta in such a negative light, does that mean he needs a personal punching bag? Furthermore, I can see the reasoning behind the hoax rumor. Now that I think about it, the Disneyland story and the consequences following feels too outlandish for reality. Then again, who knows?
On the other hand, some aspects of the film that I wish someone could expand upon in another documentary. For example, the stories of the other Street artists featured in the beginning besides Shepard Fairey. I also want to know the mindset behind Street art. Does it come from seeing grey buildings as blank canvases? Does the onslaught of consumer culture make these people look at these blank walls and go “What makes you so special?” Why did they reject the traditional canvas and go the Jean-Michel Basquiat way? Speaking of which, someone does render his crown symbol on a wall. Another aspect comes from the street artist Swoon. The only woman Street Artist featured. I would love to hear more about her. Also, on the film Guetta made, it reminded me of Un Chien Andalou.
Final verdict? A very engaging film. You will find yourself swept away into the dangerously alluring world of Street Art. Hoax, art, and all, Marcel Duchamp would surely approve of this.
Other Reviews:
Other reviews found on Rotten Tomatoes
ETA: Added a link and corrected some errors.
Art History Ramblings 
Interesting post Catherine! I was interested in Street Art long before I knew anything about traditional art historical subjects – and had friends that were commissioned graffitti artists while we were still in high school. It’s an interesting addition to the world of art that I dont think art history academia takes seriously – something also being experienced by digital artists.
If you’re not following it already, the wooster collective is an amazing blog for street and ephemeral art http://www.woostercollective.com/
Kind Regards
H
Thank you for the reply! About art historians acting slow to accept this, I think that this may change soon. I say this because I first learned about Banksy in art criticism while at grad school. With this, I have a feeling future art historians will write about street art in long papers and thick books. They do so with Dada and Pop Art, both I think Street art comes from. Furthermore, how could an art historian not want to analyse these works?
Also, thank you for the link!