UPDATE DEC. 2: BANSKY: GENIUS OR VANDAL? is now open at Fashion Show mall on the Las Vegas Strip. The unofficial exhibition features the highest value collection of artworks from European private collectors ever presented, including the 700 pound “Stop Esso,” “Rose Trap,” “Holocaust Lipstick” and “Heavy Weaponery.” The exhibition is a limited engagement and will run through April 5, 2020.
ORIGINAL STORY
Works by the infamous artist Banksy are coming to the Las Vegas Strip.
BANKSY: GENIUS OR VANDAL?, an unofficial Banksy exhibition featuring the mysterious street artist’s famous works from private collectors, is making its debut soon at Immersion Vegas, a new immersive entertainment venue inside Fashion Show mall on the Las Vegas Strip.
The exhibit will run through April 5, 2020.
BANKSY: GENIUS OR VANDAL?, which has already been seen by more than a million people in Moscow, Madrid, St. Petersburg and Lisbon, will showcase more than 70 original creations from the groundbreaking and mysterious street artist, including “one of a kind” artworks, 3D objects, limited editions, photographs, video installations and a specially-created multimedia presentation.
Works include the 700 pound “Stop Esso,” “Rose Trap,” “Holocaust Lipstick” and “Heavy Weaponry.”
“Banksy is one of the most intriguing, iconic and influential individuals in the modern art world,” said Christoph Rahofer, President and CEO of EMS Entertainment. “His works are controversial, thought-provoking, topical, a challenge to the system and a violation of the law. We’re thrilled to bring this groundbreaking exhibition to Las Vegas, where visitors will have the opportunity to decide for themselves – is Banksy a genius or a vandal?”
“Banksy is one of the brightest and most important artists and even a phenomenon of our time,” said Alexander Nachkebiya, curator of the Exhibition. “His work is a challenge to the system, it is a protest, it is an extremely well-built brand, it is a mystery, it is a violation of the law... according to our idea, every visitor of the exhibition will be able to decide for themselves: who is Banksy - a genius or a vandal, an artist or a businessman, a provocateur and rebel or a conformist? Our exhibition shows the scope of Banksy’s talent - he is always multidimensional and makes visitors think and decide for themselves. His work is always topical, very comprehensive, and sinks into the soul of each of us – I guess all this makes him a genius to me.”
Banksy’s ironic and witty works are a protest against politics, war, capitalism and mortality, while becoming a hunting ground for journalists, photographers, vandals and art critics, alike.
The so-called “Banksy effect,” a huge interest in street art and street artists, blew up the world art market, resulting in graffiti works, made on the verge of kitsch, being sold at prestigious auctions for record amounts.
The apotheosis of Banksy’s struggle with modern art establishment was his 2018 performance at the Sotheby’s auction, where he destroyed his famous “Girl with Red Balloon.” The Banksy effect continues, evident in the recent Sotheby’s sale of his chimp-depicting “Devolved Parliament” which sold for more than $12 million. Banksy’s art is modern mythology shrouded in secret, intrigue, provocation and scandal.
Hours of operation are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., with final admission at 8 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., with final admission at 6 p.m. Tickets are $29 plus applicable fees and $15 plus applicable fees for children 11 and under.
