Banksy exhibition set to open in Philly
‘Banksy Was Here: The Exhibition’ runs into 2023
The street artist who goes by the tag Banksy is a mystery.
Art shows up all over the world, yet nobody has been able to find out who is Banksy. Is the artist a he or a she? Is it more than one person using the same style to make political statements all over the world?
While the mystery keeps building, there is a chance to see some of Banksy’s iconic art in Philadelphia right now.
“Banksy Was Here: The Exhibition,” an unauthorized Banksy exhibition, opens at the Fashion District in the former Candiopia space at Ninth and Market streets on Saturday and runs through at least Jan. 31.
“Banksy’s work allows us to see our everyday world in a different way, and this approach will appeal to everyone who comes to ‘Banksy Was Here,’ whether they are seeing the artist’s work for the first
time or the hundredth,” said Exhibition Hub Executive Producer John Zaller. “In a similar way, the exhibit design provides a different perspective to all who enter: It transports you to a whole other place that is totally unexpected and entirely engaging, similar to Banksy’s work.”
The exhibition features over 80 original works, sculptures, installations, videos and photos including the classics of the legendary artist.
Banksy has been known to question the rules of the game of contemporary art, and is considered one of the main figures of street art. These pieces, which come from private collections and in collaboration with Lilley Fine Art/ Contemporary Art Gallery, will be exhibited in Philadelphia for the first time.
“Banksy fans will love ‘Banksy Was Here’ because of the dedication that our team took to be as true to the artist’s approach as we could be,” said Zaller. “From the moment you enter to the moment you leave, we place you in environments that evoke the authenticity and the irony of Banksy’s works while also curating the collection in a way that is accessible to all.”
The selection of art as well as a unique virtual reality experience gives visitors the opportunity to enjoy a highly educational and descriptive voyage through the artist’s world and career.
Visitors will be able to discover the works of Banksy in their natural habitat, as if they were truly there, thanks to the magic of technology.
A multimedia installation, created especially for this exhibition, will welcome visitors, revealing clues of the mystery artist and highlighting his most important pieces, framing his unusual career wrapped in controversy. In addition, enjoy at the end of the exhibition a virtual reality experience
through the artist’s career, created especially for this event.
There is also a large graffiti room where visitors can add their own art to the exhibit. The art you create will stay as part of the exhibition.
“Philadelphia is the perfect city to debut ‘Banksy Was Here,’ because of its love of art and its gritty personality,” Zaller said. “Philadelphians know what they want and they take pride in knowing who they are, just like Banksy. The Fashion District is a fantastic central location right in the middle of the city.”
Check the website, https:// banksyexpo.com/philadelphia/, for more information and ticket availability.