No Exit For Art Superstar

     Sunday, of course, was the Academy Awards, and while most people were debating the merits of "The King's Speech" versus "The Social Network," many others were wondering what would happen if Banksy won an Oscar. Banksy, who is perhaps the most famous graffiti artist in the world, was nominated for his documentary "Exit Through the Gift Shop." The only problem being, however, that nobody actually knows what Banksy looks like.
     "Exit" is basically about filmmaker Thierry Guetta, who began filming street artist like Space Invader and Shepard Fairy. Guetta followed these street artist around in the middle of the night, filming then painting sidewalks, buildings, and other public spaces, telling them that he was making a documentary about graffiti art. Then, he met Banksy, and quickly earned his trust.
     Banksy had planned to place a blow-up doll, dressed in an orange jumpsuit and black hood, chained to a ride at Disney World, as a comment on abuse at Guantanamo Bay. Guetta would film the act and the public's reaction. Guetta, however, was picked up by park security and questioned for 4 hours. He was not water-boarded, but he did not tell them he knew who did the artwork.
     Soon, Banksy became the biggest artist in the world, street or otherwise. He was now having full-on art shows, in a gallery. Street art had taken off, and it was time for Guetta's documentary to hit theaters, Banksy told him. So Guetta spent 6 months editing thousands of hours of footage. Then, he showed it to Banksy.
     "I was in that position, where someone shows you there work, and you realize that it's shit." Banksy says. "I started to wonder if (Guetta) was a filmmaker or just someone with mental problems."
     So Banksy sent Guetta home, telling him to go make some art, and keeping the tapes for himself. This is when the switch happens. The film stops being about street art and starts being about Guetta himself. Guetta goes crazy, creating thousands of pieces, and renting a huge venue for his show. Soon, he is on the front page of LA Weekly, and thousands line up for the opening of his show, which stays open for two months.
     Some have wondered if the movie is not a documentary, but a hoax. This is an easy assumption to make, especially on the heels of the Joaquin Phoenix film "I'm Still Here." Ultimately, this seems doubtful. Either way, however, the film works as a commentary on celebrity (we still don't know what Banksy looks like) and art, itself (does Guetta really have any talent?). Banksy, and many other artist who appear in the film, have spent years curating an image and a message. Often in anonymity, always in a grey area of legality, and usually with no monetary compensation, only for Guetta to arrive, stand on their shoulders, and make millions. He recently did an album cover for Madonna.