In this blog post, we will consider the nature of art through the documentary Exit Through The Gift Shop, which crosses the boundaries between art and consumption.
Exit Through The Gift Shop, the title alone made me think a lot. I started to think why a gift shop would appear in the title, and why did the director choose this title for the film? The title has a huge meaning in the film, but why such a playful title? I think everyone has probably had these questions at least once before watching a movie. This is because the title is the first impression it makes on the audience and the first gate to the film. Once you pass this first gate, you are given the opportunity to explore the essence of the film and the director’s intentions in depth.
The story changes after you watch the film. I have already decided for myself that “there cannot be a better title than this.” Of course, using a firm sentence is not a very good method. But I am sure. I don’t think there is anything like mockery, mockery or mockery-like words. And it makes me think a lot. About the art I want to do now. The question of what art is and how it is consumed always follows. This film doesn’t answer those questions, but rather asks new ones.
I think this is an image that clearly shows the movie. And after watching this movie, I came up with a logline for the movie. Unlike the title, it was a bit extreme. “I’ll teach you how to sell garbage to idiots.” This expression is not just provocative, but also captures one of the core messages the movie wants to convey.
The Mona Lisa is a painting that everyone in the world knows. Everyone knows that there is only one original, and everyone knows that it is the work of the painter Leonardo da Vinci. Of course, it is owned by some rich person as part of their property. But in terms of replicas, or copies, the current society can create values that we cannot imagine from a different perspective. I think it is a very honest and irrefutable statement. Going further, we need to think again about what art is essentially. Is the value of the original work alone important, or is the value derived from it also important? And how is that value formed?
Andy Warhol said it. “Be famous first, and then people will applaud you even if you poop.” It’s funny, but it’s true. It’s an accurate understanding of society. This film uses that aspect to show how an artist becomes a star. When you look at the works of Andy Warhol or a famous street artist, it’s a film that shows the difference between a piece of paper that makes you think, ”Oh, I could do that.”
This documentary film, which is about 87 minutes long, is a film about Thierry, an ordinary guy, who picks up a camera and meets his cousin, gets into street art, meets Shepard Fairey, who has put millions of his Obey brand marks all over the world, and the legendary art terrorist Banksy, and decides to become an artist at his suggestion and prepares for an exhibition. Of course, he becomes an average person, Thierry, in Los Angeles, where he becomes the artist Mr. Brainwash.
In fact, I’m very interested in streetwear brands, so I did some research. I thought of a clothing company called Supreme, which became famous by copying a huge clothing brand like Banksy, the main character of this movie, and putting its own company logo on it. Even though the clothes they’re selling now aren’t luxury items, one hoodie can cost almost $1,000. Wait a minute. I thought about it. Did they really become famous through pure effort? The answer is no. They stole other people’s creations without permission and committed the crime of “stealing” rather than “collaborating,” but their challenge is valued as a value. In the end, isn’t this just selling trash to idiots? Of course, I have a piece of that brand’s clothing.
Banksy is a 41-year-old white man with a sideburn, but we don’t know anything else about him. Since graffiti itself is an illegal act, he never appears in the film, and the interview takes place in his studio. He dropped out of school because of what happened to him as a child, and when he thought about “justice,” he created works about anti-war, peace, freedom, and ecology. He still continues to create works to this day, saying, “The greatest crime in this world is not breaking the rules, but following them.”
Watching the movie, I thought that Banksy was truly a genius. Not only the art he has done in the past, but also the works he has introduced to me through the movie, including “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” were truly amazing. This movie is more than just an art documentary. It leads to a philosophical discourse that explores how art can influence people’s way of thinking and society as a whole, beyond its simple material value.
One of the questions this film asks is what art is and where its essence lies. Is art a product that contains the pure intentions and expressions of the creator, or is it just a commodity whose value is determined by market evaluation and demand? This question is not just a story in a movie, but a stark reminder of the reality of contemporary art. In particular, the confusion and conflict that non-mainstream art, such as street art, experiences as it enters the mainstream art market, leaves a deep impression on many people.
An artist like Banksy has the power to change people’s consciousness and thinking through works that can be dismissed as just street graffiti. His works are not just images, but powerful tools that carry social messages. Where is the essence of art? Is it in its simple aesthetic value, or in the social impact it creates? With these questions in mind, the film gives us a new perspective on art.
And as you follow Thierry’s journey, you will be reminded of what it means to be an artist. What is the standard of success and identity as an artist? Is the goal simply to become famous, or is it important to maintain one’s artistic beliefs? These questions are important not only for artists, but for all creators.
He constantly strives to achieve his artistic ambitions and eventually succeeds, but in the process he loses his original self. His story makes us think again about the meaning of success and identity in modern society. Is it really success to become famous and wealthy, or is it true success to live by one’s beliefs and values?
Finally, the film makes us think about our “responsibility as consumers.” When we consume art, do we have the ability to judge the true value of the work? Or do we simply accept it uncritically because it is famous or because someone recommended it? How objective is our view of artworks, and do we understand the essence of the work? Through these questions, the film makes us think deeply about the art we encounter in our daily lives.
Ultimately, the film goes beyond simply telling a story about street art to presenting a philosophical journey that explores the nature of contemporary art and its impact on society and people. This journey goes beyond mere praise or criticism of art and resonates deeply with anyone who wants to understand the true value of art.
