
Rumours have been flying around last week that the elusive Banksy was in Venice for Venice Biennale 2019. A Banksyesque-style mural and a stencil rat were seen on the streets of Venice. To this date Banksy has not officially confirmed they are his work.
Today however, Banksy has posted a short video of him setting up a stall at the Venice Biennale on his Instagram. Banksy calls it “the largest and most prestigious art event in the world”, and at the same time questions why he has never been invited.
“Setting out my stall at the Venice Biennale.
Despite being the largest and most prestigious art event in the world, for some reason I’ve never been invited.” Banksy
We first see images of a picturesque Venice, with the traditional gondolas and the hustle and bustle of the city’s iconic St Mark’s Square.
We then see the Banksy stall for Venice Biennale begin to take shape, and the art display quickly catches the attention of the passersby …
The full art composition shows a large cruise ship sailing in the city’s Grand Canal, surrounded by landmarks including the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Campanile. The cruise ship takes over the romantic scene and dominates the view. The authentic traditional gondola boat rides are forced to halt as the cruise ship passes by. The painting is set in the past and is juxtaposed with the modern cruise ship.
The artwork is split into nine oil paintings framed into various gold ornate frames. There is also an umbrella sheltering the art from the sun, with the words FIFA 2014 World Cup Brazil, another reference to oil, FIFA and sponsorships.
If you look closely in the direction where the friendly cat is staring, there is a small plaque ‘Venice in Oil’ on a cross stand underneath, referencing the oil paintings and the cruise ship. Banksy brings into spotlight the plight of the city’s residents against the enormous cruise ships which dock in its canals.
The Banksy stall then gets a visit from the local police, who ask for authorisation. However in true Banksy style it’s unauthorised! and so the art stall is removed…
The unnamed man is then seen pushing Banksy’s ‘Venice in Oil’ artworks away from Venice Biennale with a huge cruise ship in the distance sounding the horn in a long blast.
The music to the video is Doris Day’s “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be Will Be)”,
Que Sera, Sera, Whatever will be, will be The future’s not ours, to see Que Sera, Sera What will be, will be…
Check out the full video below!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BxxOKYflVSl/
Images captured via Banksy Instagram