Deconstructing with Della: Taking graffiti to the next level
April 24, 2017 |
| Art in one of the rooms at Banksy's The Walled Off Hotel |
Banksy's graffiti art makes people stop and think. The messages sent via the stark black and white images against city walls speak volumes. Now, he has created a hotel. Yes, a hotel in the Westbank. Appropriately named, The Walled Off Hotel, it brings controversy to an already controversial place. While there would be much to dissect and deconstruct about the issues in the Westbank, I am remaining true to my focus on communications. And, Banksy's hotel is all about communication.
They encourage people to write on the wall and they understand how sensitive that might be. Here is an excerpt from the hotel website:
It (the wall) divides the nation of Palestine from the state of Israel and restricts movement between the two for citizens of both sides. Depending on who you talk to its either a vital security measure or an instrument of apartheid. Its route is highly controversial and it has a dramatic impact on the daily lives of a lot of people. The one thing beyond dispute is that everything here is under dispute.
Later on the website they pose a question about the ethics of painting on the wall...
Some people don't agree with painting the wall and argue anything that trivialises or normalises its existence is a mistake. Then again, others welcome any attention brought to it and the ongoing situation. So in essence - you can paint it, but avoid anything normal or trivial.
There is certainly nothing normal or trivial about Banksy art. It is all about disruption. He disrupts our expectations by not engaging via social media and keeping his focus on walls. The official Twitter account has no tweets. The wall ends up being the canvas for such a huge divide and source of conflict.
I am not sure how this hotel and the art will impact the people and the place but it does get attention. People are posting about their experiences on Twitter and the hotel is getting covered by major media outlets.
To deconstruct, I think this says something about global communications and what it takes to create an impact today. Banksy's Dismaland exhibit had the same elements but to actually open a hotel is taking his message to a new level. There is meaning behind everything. Even, the 'why now' question:
2017 marks a hundred years since the British took control of Palestine and helped kick start a Century of confusion and conflict. At the time of writing there are no special events being planned to mark the occasion.
The ever-mysterious Banksy knows how to focus the spotlight on society's open sores. Check out more about this creative endeavour here.
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