Banksy Unveils the Magic Kingdom of ‘Dismaland’

Graffiti artist Banksy has created his own take on Disneyland, a grim exhibition at an abandoned U.K. beach attraction.

“Dismaland” will take over the Tropicana swimming pool in the English resort town of Weston-super-Mare. Featuring works by more than 50 artists, including Damien Hurst, Jenny Holzer and Jimmy Cauty, Dismaland is a spin on festivals and amusement parks- the world’s first “bemusement park,” the BBC reports.

See Inside Banksy’s Dystopian ‘Dismaland’

Although renowned for his street art, Banksy says that Dismaland is an open-air performance, requiring audience participation via photos and social interactions. “A dead princess is only complete when surrounded by gawping crowds with their cameras out or the opportunity to photograph yourself pulling an amazed expression when a killer whale leaps from a toilet,” Banksy said.

Among the artwork on display are cheeky takes on the usual theme park attractions: a portrait artist who will paint a likeness of the back of your head, a warped version of Cinderella’s castle and a riot control vehicle equipped with a children’s slide.

Bansky says he got the idea for transforming the 2.5 acre site, which has been closed for 15 years, when he peeked inside in January. The mysterious artist worked with local officials, telling locals that the site was a set for a new Hollywood movie Grey Fox.

Dismaland opens on Saturday and will run through Sept. 27. The entrance fee is just 3 pounds (around $5)

[BBC]