If you haven't seen Banksy's Exit Through The Gift Shop yet and need a bit more convincing. The clip below of the first 5 minutes gives a really good feel of what to expect.
Banksy is a graffiti artist with a global reputation whose work can be seen on walls from post-hurricane New Orleans to the separation barrier on the Palestinian West Bank. Fiercely guarding his anonymity to avoid prosecution, Banksy has so far resisted all attempts to be captured on film. Exit Through the Gift Shop tells the incredible true story of how an eccentric French shop keeper turned documentary maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy, only to have the artist turn the camera back on its owner.
The film contains exclusive footage of Banksy, Shepard Fairey, Invader and many of the world's most infamous graffiti artists at work, on walls and in interview. As Banksy describes it, "It's basically the story of how one man set out to film the un-filmable. And failed"
Banksy's Exit Through The Gift Shop the first 5 minutes
When Exit Through The Gift Shop is currently showing in cinemas
While The Twitterverse and Blogosphere are swamped with stories about the Odeon Cinema chain's decision not to show Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland. As a response to Disney shortening the time from from the film's cinema release to it's DVD/Blu Ray release.
Something else is happening in the world of cinema, something marvellous, that again reinforces the thought that small independent cinema will always go further to keep cinema go'ers happy.
Banksy has just announced that his film Exit Through the Gift Shop will have a limited release at his very own cinema "The Lambeth Palace" - London’s darkest and dirtiest new cinema” (with an exception made for “Cineworld Edmonton”). Screenings are expected to start today and end on the 1st March. Exit Through the Gift Shop will then be on general release from the 5th of March.
Pic from Timeout's Twicpic account taken at a press screening
Banksy has turned his favourite venue, the Leake Street tunnel, home of his Cans Festival into a pop up cinema. By the look of things he has the tunnel into not only a cinema but a Banksy exhibition. The 150 seat cinema has some new Banksy pieces installed that include a cardboard Queen and Prince Phillip opening ceremonial velvet curtains to reveal a spray-painted Anarchy “A”, a bonfire of Old Master paintings going up in fabric flames, hamster cages of animatronic hot dogs, and a bar in the form of a grungy ice cream van. As well as some favorites from his recent Bristol Exhibition.
HolyCow! looks like the master of subversive understatement has done it again. Tickets will be available from midday today Tues 23 February from http://banksy.co.uk/cinema.html
Banksy Secret Cinema or get Exit Through the Gift Shop tickets
Where The Lambeth Palace Leake Street, London, SE1 7NN
When 6:00 & 9:00pm daily till , Thurs 4 March, 2010
Anyone that knows the The_EST knows that my support for Secret Cinema goes all the way back to the very beginning last year :). Now in their 2nd successful year Secret Cinema are back and bigger than ever before.
For those of you still unfamiliar with London's best kept secret.
“The Secret Cinema is a monthly gathering of all that love stimulating, challenging and ground breaking cinema. The Internet is changing the way we watch films. The Secret Cinema changes where you watch films.
Every month a new secret location, you will receive an email the day of the screening stating the film that is to be shown and the location.
The film will be chosen by the secret cinema folk whose names will remain secret and sometimes by you the secret audience who will send in your secret votes.
The locations will vary. Anything from derelict theatres, rooftops, parks and other secret spaces. There will be surprise re-scores and special guests. Register at secretcinema.org”
Here is a complete list of Secret Cinema screening so far:
Secret Cinema presents Alien at 105 Clifton Street, London Secret Cinema presents The Warriors at London Fields Secret Cinema Kids presents Bugsy Malone at The Troxy, London Secret Cinema presents The Harder They Come at The Coronet Theatre, London Secret Cinema presents Anvil! The Story of Anvil at The Shepherd's Bush Empire Secret Cinema presents Ghostbusters at The Royal Horticultural Halls, London Secret Cinema presents A Night at The Opera at The Hackney Empire, London Secret Cinema presents If... at Dulwich College, London Secret Cinema presents Paranoid Park at Shipwright Yard Secret Cinema presents Funny Face at The Royal Academy of Arts, London
However it's not just the location of the screening that is important it is that immersive experience that Secret Cinema creates whether it be turning existing buildings or field into a replica film set such as a spaceship interior, gangland war zone, fashion show, etc. ), performance artists and installations recreating set pieces from the films, live rock bands that the film is about actually playing a gig (with Anthrax guitar legend Scott Ian) and special guests introducing the films like Ralph Brown or Ridley Scott.
This months Secret Cinema is taking place on both Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th February with 2 screenings on each day at Matinee shows will take place at 1:00pm and evening shows will take place at 7.30pm.
I'm guessing (and I'm a really good guesser) that this months screening is a preview of Banksy's film Exit Through the Gift Shop. Please note that this is just my guess and not an official confirmation. If so this is sure to be one of the hottest tickets this February
For more information on Banksy's film Exit Through the Gift Shop (which may or may not be screened at Secret Cinema) vist the website here > http://www.banksyfilm.com/
The Sotheby's Contemporary Art Day Auction is being held in London this February.
The February day sale of Contemporary art features a carefully-curated range of exciting works by the leading names in the Contemporary art world. With cutting-edge paintings and sculptures by prominent international young artists, as well as classic pieces by established post-war European and American masters, the sale brings together exciting art works from the past seventy years, illuminating the movements they helped to define.
Highlights of the post-war period include Dubuffet’s magnificent Cafetière, tasse et sucrier III; an extremely rare IKP sponge sculpture from 1958 by Yves Klein; and a sublimely poised stabile by Alexander Calder. Important paintings by Peter Doig, Gerhard Richter and Damien Hirst headline a select group of Contemporary artists, whose work will be offered alongside pieces from the Estate of Angus Fairhurst.
The exhibition in London opens on the 6 February 2010.
Where London
When Sat 6 February 2010.
For more info and padding visit the Sotheby's website.
Exit Through the Gift Shop a Banksy film has been hinted at on the net for some time - over here > http://www.banksyfilm.com/ . It seems that the film is real and has just been seen for the first time at the Sundance 2010 Festival.
Exit Through the Gift Shop, narrated by “Notting Hill” actor Rhys Ifans, opens with Banksy himself -- or at least a silhouette of him. Photographed in the dark, wearing a hoodie with his voice digitally disguised, the artist says “Gift Shop” is less about him than a guy who tried to make a movie about street art: Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant in Los Angeles who, since his mother’s death, videotapes everything in his life.
One of Guetta’s cousins is Invader, a French guerrilla artist who designs and furtively places mosaics inspired by the video game Space Invaders. Before long, Guetta is recording Invader’s installations, and is sucked into the riotous underground art world -- “It was not just illegal. It was dangerous,” Guetta says -- as it explodes in the early 2000s with the works of Shepard Fairey, Ron English and Borf, among many others.
RAY HARRYHAUSEN and TONY DALTON will be signing An Animated Life at the Forbidden Planet Megastore, 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR, on Saturday 24th October 1 – 2pm.
The last great animator before the introduction of CGI, Ray’s book takes us through sixty years of bringing dreams to life. From harpies and skeletons in Jason and the Argonauts to the six-armed Kali in Sinbad, Ray explains the films' journeys, from original concept through to the critics' reviews, as well as the basics of special effects and stop-motion animation. Now re-issued in softcover, An Animated Life is a wonderland guide through a golden age of SFX magic.
Mr Harryhausen is responsible for the barrier breaking animation in much loved classic films such as; Clash of the Titans, Sinbad and the Eye of the Tiger, The Golden Voyage of Sinbad, One Million Years B.C., First Men in the Moon, Jason and the Argonauts, Mysterious Island, The 3 Worlds of Gulliver, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad and many more.
Where Forbidden Planet London Megastore 179 Shaftesbury Avenue, London, WC2H 8JR
CEPT presents A Frozen Explosion Opening Private View September 3rd 2009 4 September - 25 September Thu - Sat 1:30 - 6:00pm
Apparatus: Painting, Video, Audio
Method: Site specific constellation of paintings. Wall painting, recycled film and audio overload
Result: A glimpse into the world of an alter ego's work in progress. Process paid
Conclusion: You'll be witness to what I have discovered, may you be the jury. But your verdict will be one of self-conviction. I know what I have witnessed; now it is your turn, prepare yourself for a journey into a world where each new step may give you a better understanding of your own reality. Discover a circle that forever repeats itself. The end of the beginning, the beginning of the end. Forget the world around you and the people around you
Consider time as officially ended, we work on the other side of time Your story is history My story is mystery
CEPT presents A Frozen Explosion The Writers Bench Open Thursday to Friday 1:30 to 6:00
26 Argyle Square X Argyle Walk London, Kings Cross WC1H 8AP United Kingdom
CEPT presents A Frozen Explosion Opening Private View September 3rd 2009 4 September - 25 September Thu - Sat 1:30 - 6:00pm
Apparatus: Painting, Video, Audio
Method: Site specific constellation of paintings. Wall painting, recycled film and audio overload
Result: A glimpse into the world of an alter ego's work in progress. Process paid
Conclusion: You'll be witness to what I have discovered, may you be the jury. But your verdict will be one of self-conviction. I know what I have witnessed; now it is your turn, prepare yourself for a journey into a world where each new step may give you a better understanding of your own reality. Discover a circle that forever repeats itself. The end of the beginning, the beginning of the end. Forget the world around you and the people around you
Consider time as officially ended, we work on the other side of time Your story is history My story is mystery
CEPT presents A Frozen Explosion The Writers Bench Open Thursday to Friday 1:30 to 6:00
26 Argyle Square X Argyle Walk London, Kings Cross WC1H 8AP United Kingdom
The full schedule for Movie Con 2 can be found over here on Empire's website. Below are my highlights from day 2:
Day 2 started with a flash of fury, explosions and red metal, that's right! Some seriously awesome clips from Iron Man 2 were on display introduced by Robert (I'm in town to shoot some additional scenes for Guy Ritchie's Sherlock Holmes) Downey Jr. Unfortunately I was late and missed what was a highlight of day 2.
The legendary Kim Newman ran his now infamous Movie Quiz with the precision of a T800 which was loads of fun. One of the prizes was for a winner's name to be used in Mr. Newman's next novel.
Next up was a clip from the super tense Hurt Locker and Q&A with Director Kathryn Bigelow and screenwriter Mark Boal. Loosely based on Boal's experiences in Baghdad. Hurt Locker is refreshingly direct and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It could be seen as a natural progression to Point Break.
Optimum rolled out a hilarious and heartwarming presentation for Bunny And The Bull. Hosted by Director Paul King and Star Simon Farnaby. If you are looking for something that lands somewhere between a holiday, run by The Mighty Boosh filmed by Michel Gondry.
"Bunny & the Bull is a road movie set entirely in a flat. Stephen Turnbull hasn't been outside in months. Living with a painfully restrictive routine, he refuses to interact with the world or think about the past. When a sudden infestation of mice forces him to change his ways, he finds his mind hurtling back to the disastrous trek around Europe he undertook with his friend Bunny, a womanising, gambling-addicted booze-hound. Unable to stem the flood of memories, Stephen’s flat becomes the springboard for an extraordinary odyssey through landscapes made up of snapshots and souvenirs, from the industrial wastelands of Silesia to the bull fields of Andalusia. A story of love, disillusionment, stuffed bears and globalised seafood, Bunny & the Bull is an offbeat and heartfelt journey to the end of the room."
Next Director/Writer Stuart Hazeldine introduced Exam.
"Eight talented candidates have reached the final stage of selection to join the ranks of a mysterious and powerful corporation. Entering a windowless room, an Invigilator gives them eighty minutes to answer one simple question. He outlines three rules they must obey or be disqualified: don't talk to him or the armed guard by the door, don't spoil their papers and don't leave the room. He starts the clock and leaves. The candidates turn over their question papers, only to find they're completely blank. After the initial confusion has subsided, one frustrated candidate writes 'I believe you should hire me because...,' and is promptly ejected for spoiling. The remaining candidates soon figure out they're permitted to talk to each other, and they agree to cooperate in order to figure out the question: then they can compete to answer it. At first they suspect the question may be hidden in their papers like a security marker in a credit card, and they figure out ways to change their environment to expose the hidden words. But light, liquids and other plans all come to naught. Soon enough, the candidates begin to uncover each other's background, prejudices and hidden agendas. Tensions rise as the clock steadily descends towards zero, and each candidate must decide how far they are willing to go to secure the ultimate job." Tense stuff.
The end of the day closed with a 3D spectacular! You should know that I love 3D! Even the crappiest film in the world can become wonderful by either showing it in IMAX or 3D format. I have never seen a bad 3D film at the IMAX. Even the big screen 3D trailers are Worth the entry alone. So what if this new push towards 3D was engineered by Hollywood marketeers to revitalise the industry and shaft Movie piracy. I love it. The final hour and a half of of Movie Con was spectacular. In order:
Disney presented; The trailer & loads of footage from the mind boggling A Christmas Carol, the trailer for Toy Story 3, and footage from the much talked about Up.
Welcome back Flynn! Then we were shown the 3D trailer/footage from Tron Legacy ! This was the same bootleg footage that haunted the net after Comic Con last year and was recently released onto the net in high def. Except that this was in 3D on a BIG screen! Tron Legacy looks like it will be worth the 27 year wait.
Finally we were treated to footage from Jim Cameron's 4 years in the making AVATAR. Stolen from Empire's blog:
"James Cameron recorded a short introduction, just for Movie-Con II, to two scenes of footage from Avatar, due out in December. We wouldn’t be exaggerating too far if we say that jaws hit the floor. The first, short scene gave a flavour to the threat in the film: Stephen Lang’s Colonel Quaritch explaining to newcomers just how dangerous the world of Pandora is, and telling them frankly that they won’t all make it out alive. Then we saw Jake Sully’s (Sam Worthington) Avatar alive and working in the jungles of the planet. Having faced off one rhino*/hammerhead shark added by me:)*-looking beastie, he’s surprised by the much more dangerous spider-lynx looking monster, and a spectacular chase scene occurs. We also get a glimpse there of Sigourney Weaver’s Grace in action: check the next issue of Empire for more on that.
Naturally, we had to see that again, so we rewound and went for a second go." The team also let us know that there would be more & different footage shown on AVATAR day this Friday. Info here!
All that is left for me to say is thank you Empire & BFI. I had a wonderful time. Next year please bring some display cases and props with you. I'm just saying.
Earlier this Month we were invited to the 5 Gum "Creating Sense5" launch party held in London. 5 Gum is new flavourful gum from Wrigleys. The general consensus is that 5 Gum really is a taste explosion in a chewing gum kind of way.
The launch was conducted by Vice Magazine who ran a a competition in the lead up to the event. They sent out an open call to creatives to create something that like the gum intrigues and exhilarates the senses. And when I say something, the entries could have been anything one felt would represent the gum. Award winning band Hot Chip would then select the winning talent and curate the gig. From The Vice website:
"Thursday, June 4th certainly turned out to be an unforgettable night at The Arches, London Bridge. Hot Chip's two live DJ sets - one featuring Kano - were supported by unique performances from The Penny Serenade, Raf Daddy, Planning To Rock and Noze.
Five winners of the CreatingSense5 competition, whose entries, like the 5 gum, represented and stimulated the senses. Their interactive installations including the "touch wall" and "edible forest" proved to be a huge success - with people finding more than one different use for them!"
Stand out moments for me were discovering Portuguese Sangeres beer (a almost honey tinged malty beer), hearing Planning To Rock for the first time, Hot Chip's awesome live set as well as hearing the sublime combination of Hot Chip & Kano together. Pics & videos to follow in the meantime you can see more pics from the event here!
Black Rat is delighted to announce a solo exhibition by award winning painter Matthew Small. Matts latest body of work Youngstarrs is an exploration on the themes of youth and hope.
Matt Small is an artist whose painting is best understood as an extension of his beliefs and world view. Matt is a passionate believer in social inclusion and that, given the opportunities to be heard and respected, all individuals have something of value to contribute to society. The subject matter of Matts portraits tends to be the marginalized and voiceless in society, those who are socially excluded and often viewed as statistics or pawns in a wider political game as opposed to individuals with the latent potential to contribute and enrich society if only given the opportunity to be heard. By painting portraits of individuals on the outskirts of society. Matt encourages us to spend time with people who we may chose to overlook in our daily lives and in doing so forces us to challenge our prejudices and recognize our shared humanity
Youngstarrs previews on March 26th from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The exhibition continues until April 17th.
The Black Rat Press: Matthew Small Youngstarrs Exhibition Thursday March 26, 2009 - Friday April 17, 2009 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm black rat press ltd 83 Rivington Street London, England EC2A 3AY
Black Rat is delighted to announce a solo exhibition by award winning painter Matthew Small. Matts latest body of work Youngstarrs is an exploration on the themes of youth and hope.
Matt Small is an artist whose painting is best understood as an extension of his beliefs and world view. Matt is a passionate believer in social inclusion and that, given the opportunities to be heard and respected, all individuals have something of value to contribute to society. The subject matter of Matts portraits tends to be the marginalized and voiceless in society, those who are socially excluded and often viewed as statistics or pawns in a wider political game as opposed to individuals with the latent potential to contribute and enrich society if only given the opportunity to be heard. By painting portraits of individuals on the outskirts of society. Matt encourages us to spend time with people who we may chose to overlook in our daily lives and in doing so forces us to challenge our prejudices and recognize our shared humanity
Youngstarrs previews on March 26th from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. The exhibition continues until April 17th.
The Black Rat Press: Matthew Small Youngstarrs Exhibition Thursday March 26, 2009 - Friday April 17, 2009 from 6:30pm - 9:30pm black rat press ltd 83 Rivington Street London, England EC2A 3AY
I've been hearing rumours about this all week. it has been confirmed that Dr Manhattan from The Watchmen to make an appearance in London this evening (4 March 2009).
The best view will be from here. Or you can just watch the live video stream below. My understanding is that he will be appearing around 8pm.
Urban Art Sale 26 February 2009, 18:30 at Selfridges
The Urban Art collection contains works by the leading national and international street artists of today, such as, Banksy, Nick Walker, Adam Neate, Faile, Antony Micallef, Guy Denning, Bast, Seen, Matt Small, D*Face, Doze Green, alongside several artists who will be creating work primarily for the sale, such as Goldie, Ame 72, CBloxx, Inkie, Dan, Mau Mau, Eelus, K-Guy, Rowdy, Flx, Silent Hobo, David Walker, Pinky, Ryca, Jim Starr, SPQR, Kev Munday and joined by auction virgins, Chu, Pam Glew, Faith 47, Klit, TRXTR, Byroglyphics and Grafter.
Sale Date: Thursday 26th February 2009 at 6.30pm
View days: The Urban Art collection will be on view and auctioned at Selfridges’ Ultralounge in London as follows:
Fri 20th – Wed 25th Feb: Public viewing (open as per store opening hours) Thurs 26th Feb: Auction only (open from 3pm, auction at 6pm)
Limited edition print: In addition to the works being auctioned, there will be a limited edition 'Let Them Hang Valentine' print available to purchase exclusively from Selfridges (£150 – print run 100).
Urban Art Sale 26 February 2009, 18:30 at Selfridges
The Urban Art collection contains works by the leading national and international street artists of today, such as, Banksy, Nick Walker, Adam Neate, Faile, Antony Micallef, Guy Denning, Bast, Seen, Matt Small, D*Face, Doze Green, alongside several artists who will be creating work primarily for the sale, such as Goldie, Ame 72, CBloxx, Inkie, Dan, Mau Mau, Eelus, K-Guy, Rowdy, Flx, Silent Hobo, David Walker, Pinky, Ryca, Jim Starr, SPQR, Kev Munday and joined by auction virgins, Chu, Pam Glew, Faith 47, Klit, TRXTR, Byroglyphics and Grafter.
Sale Date: Thursday 26th February 2009 at 6.30pm
View days: The Urban Art collection will be on view and auctioned at Selfridges’ Ultralounge in London as follows:
Fri 20th – Wed 25th Feb: Public viewing (open as per store opening hours) Thurs 26th Feb: Auction only (open from 3pm, auction at 6pm)
Limited edition print: In addition to the works being auctioned, there will be a limited edition 'Let Them Hang Valentine' print available to purchase exclusively from Selfridges (£150 – print run 100).
The Black Rat Print show The Black Rat Print show opens this Saturday at 4pm with our widest variety of printing techniques to date on view. The exhibition has works by artists including Matt Small, D*face, Sweettoof, Brian Adam Douglas, Gaia, Lucas Price, Nick Walker, Blek Le Rat and Slinkachu. Each artist has created something specifically for the show and it is an opportunity to see a wide spectrum of print techniques including etchings, stone lithographs, woodcuts, linocuts and screenprints. As well as a number of new editions being released many of the artists have produced either very small editions of hand coloured prints or unique works.
The show opens from 4pm with live printing demonstrations taking place from 4.30. For anyone interested in printmaking this show provides an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into how Black Rat editions are created.
The Black Rat Print show Saturday February 21, 2009 at 8:00pm black rat press ltd 83 Rivington Street London, England EC2A 3AY
The Black Rat Print show The Black Rat Print show opens this Saturday at 4pm with our widest variety of printing techniques to date on view. The exhibition has works by artists including Matt Small, D*face, Sweettoof, Brian Adam Douglas, Gaia, Lucas Price, Nick Walker, Blek Le Rat and Slinkachu. Each artist has created something specifically for the show and it is an opportunity to see a wide spectrum of print techniques including etchings, stone lithographs, woodcuts, linocuts and screenprints. As well as a number of new editions being released many of the artists have produced either very small editions of hand coloured prints or unique works.
The show opens from 4pm with live printing demonstrations taking place from 4.30. For anyone interested in printmaking this show provides an excellent opportunity to gain an insight into how Black Rat editions are created.
The Black Rat Print show Saturday February 21, 2009 at 8:00pm black rat press ltd 83 Rivington Street London, England EC2A 3AY
If you haven't seen Banksy's Exit Through The Gift Shop yet and need a bit more convincing. The clip below of the first 5 minutes gives a really good feel of what to expect.
