An obsessive videographer, French-born Guetta lucked into the burgeoning street artist movement and specifically Shephard Fairey (of the Obama ‘hope’ poster fame) after moving to LA. He convinced Fairey and his fellow street artists, including renowned Bristol boy- Banksy, that he was a documentary-maker, allowing him full access to their furtive world. Over a period of years, Guetta amassed a huge amount of material showing the growth of the street-art movement, but what was he going to do with it all? And what happens when Guetta decides to give the street-art thing a go himself?
“I don’t know who the joke’s on, I don’t know if there is a joke” this line in the film, from Banksy’s promoter, is a pretty succinct summing of the film project as a whole. This film is a tongue-firmly-in-the-cheek look at the commercialisation of art, something that Banksy has been accused of doing by his detractors. It also considers the idea of the ‘celebrity artist’; Banksy’s artwork is hanging in the homes of stars such as Brad and Angelina, Christina Aguilera and Kate Moss. Then there are the important questions the film raises about creation and ownership.
Narrated by Rhys Ifans (Enduring Love) and with one of the best film titles in a long time, Exit Through the Gift Shop promises an amusing and intriguing examination of the current state of the art market. Documentary, mockumentary, piss-take or piece of modern art?- that’s up to you to decide.
First Published in The Brag 31/05/10
