There are two schools regarding Banksy’s latest piece of art-world upset “Exit through the Gift Shop” : one, those fans of Banksy because he’s a cool street artist, and two, those fans of Banksy because he doesn’t manage your expectations. The first group will be both disappointed and underwhelmed by the film, and I’ll bet Banksy knew they would be. I also think there is a third group- and I hope you’re in it. Here’s why. And a spoiler warning that I think you should ignore even if you haven’t seen the movie.

Banksy has enough notoriety that he could make a movie just about himself and it would go over very, very well. But that’s not what Banksy’s about- which is why very little of the movie has to do with him. I think there’s a number of people who will appreciate the critical look at the next-big-thing art collectors and hipster crowd (the NY times, for example) but I think they’re missing what made the movie most exciting.

The energy!

Sure, Thierry is a nobody star of the movie and his own persistant video-taping. But he also has more enthusiasm and gung-ho than many, many people, and a willingness to go all -out, make-it-or-break-it, go-big-or-go-home, balls-out, just-do-it, style that Silver City and Nike only dream of.

That, to me, is the key take-away of the movie.

Thierry succeeds!

Not because he’s a big artist. (this is is first, and only? show)

Not because anyone else thinks he’s any good. (Banksy on Thierry: “[Thierry] is a force of nature; he’s a phenomenon. And I don’t mean that in a good way.”)

Not because he’s smart. (Nobody in the movie thinks so, and someone calls him retarded- they aren’t nice about it)

Not because he has any talent (His art is made by a crew he pays by the hour and frankly, it looks like someone ate Andy Warhol and threw up street art. Yes, that is a pun)

Not because collectors love his work (An excited member of the huge queue the night before has no idea what he’s in for)

Not because he gets picked up by a big gallery (he throws his show in a rented warehouse)

“He just GOES AND DOES. He doesn’t worry.”

- Mrs. Guetta

He throws all of his energy into his art show. And that is why it’s successful.

Watch the movie to find out what being really, really committed to your art practice looks like.

And then go and Do.

What am I going to do?

After watching the movie I came up with the idea to get 300 sponsor kids sponsored! Sign up to the newsletter to be the first to find out how!

PS Yes, I am aware some people think Guetta is a construction of Banksy. Doesn’t matter. The take away from the movie is too awesome.