Welcome To 'Dismaland' - Banksy Has Opened A Creepy, Nightmarish Anti-Theme Park In England
British artist Banksy, known for his dark humor and anti-establishment attitude, has opened a theme park, or a kind of anti-theme park, at British seaside town Weston-Super-Mare. Called Dismaland it's located in an abandoned lido called the Tropicana, and features artworks by Banksy and a host of other artist's too.
It's a twisted dystopian take on a theme park, a nightmare version of one, and is billed as a "family theme park unsuitable for small children." You can see why when you look at some of the attractions and sculptures, which include Cinderella—located inside the dilapidated fairytale castle— crashed in her carriage under the glare of paparazzi flash bulbs.
Speaking with local paper the Weston Mercury, Banksy said why he choose the location, "I loved the Tropicana as a kid, so getting to throw these doors open again is a real honour. I hope everyone from Weston will take the opportunity to once more to stand in a puddle of murky water eating cold chips to the sound of crying children."
Other attractions in what is basically a warped yang to Disneyworld's shiny happy ying, include Water Cannon Creek, "an armour plated riot control vehicle built to serve on the streets of Northern Ireland. Equipped with sniper posts, grenade launchers and now – a children’s slide.", a puppet show constructed entirely from other people's garbage, and a portrait artist that only does drawings of the back of people's heads.
The "bemusement park" opens today for five weeks only. As well as the attractions they'll also be evening events, including shows by Massive Attack and Pussy Riot.