Whether you are artsy or fartsy, you’ve heard the question: “What makes an artist?” Ever notice how these debates always come down to money? Who persists in that bohemian ideal of vibrant squalour; who is a sellout because they didn’t and who is a loser because they no longer live in poverty as a choice, but as a condition. Exit Through the Gift Shop isn’t a documentary about art, as much as it is a study in attitudes toward artists, from other artists. Featuring street artists Shepard Fairey (of the Obama “Hope” images) and Banksy (the secret identity of an art-world superhero, who also directed Exit), the film chronicles former street artist devotee and videographer Thierry Guetta’s rise to ostentatious, art world celeb. Are the guys he used to slavishly follow around happy for him? How does one feel when the gentleman-in-waiting becomes the main attraction?
This article appears in Aug 12-18, 2010.
Did you even see this movie? Nothing in your review suggests you did… everything you wrote is basically in the synopsis for the movie or in the trailer. So… did you see the movie? If so, where? It has not screened in Halifax (as far as I know).
There was a media screening of the film, and Hillary attended. And she’s absolutely right about what the film is about–and I appreciate that she didn’t give too much away. There are a lot of fun surprises in it.
Alright. It just struck me as an “ad” more than a “review”.