Mr. Brainwash´s Second Mortgage

Banksy, the mysterious underground graffiti artist known for bringing street art to the mainstream has released his first documentary. Exit Through the Gift Shop is now in theatres.

The show is initially a portrait of street art in London and California by amateur filmmaker Thierry Guetta. However, midway through the film, Banksy takes on the role of the filmmaker and Thierry, the artist. Suddenly, instead of following the world´s most famous unknown, we get an insight into a man who has immersed himself in street art culture, without possessing any of the originality of the artists – only the passion to make his mark on the world.

In an unusual twist, Thierry rebrands himself as Mr. Brainwash. He copies the style of those he has been following for the last eight years. He uses their locations. He mimics their artwork. His passion for filming has made him into the perfect parrot of all he has seen. Mr. Brainwash is nothing more than a complete imitation of those he has been following.

Although Mr. Brainwash may be lacking the years devoted to his craft, he does possess an undeniable passion that comes through in not only his work, but his manner of setting up his production.

His passion is repeatedly championed in the film through his financial commitment to him work. He took out a second mortgage on his home. He used up all of the credit available to him, in the form of a home equity loan. His passion shines through in his willingness to take out the money he had put into his home, and use it for a greater cause – that of his art.

Some say that Mr. Brainwash is a hoax. Some say he is Banksy himself, rebranding after making big bucks from this Southeby and Christie´s auctions, or the event that began it all in Hollywood, with Brad Pitt in attendance, and a painted elephant that had everyone talking.

Celebrity and stunts have elevated Banksy onto Time Magazine´s Top 100 Most Influential People list. And, ironically enough, no one knows his true identity. He has taught us that with art, you can print your own money, as he did with the Lady Di ten pound note. And as a result, he has made himself the world´s most elusive millionaire.

Mr. Brainwash may be just a bastard child of an art movement that spiraled out of control. Or, he may be a carefully calculated experiment, in which Banksy takes his own techniques and flair for hype, to make an ongoing factory of art and profit that would make Warhol proud.

Whatever the case, the movie is a fine one, and his commentary is hilarious. Watch it if only to get caught up, if only for an hour, in a movement that celebrates the ephemeral.