BANKSY ~GENIUS OR VANDAL?~

BANKSY GENIUS OR VANDAL Japan tour has ended! Thank you for visiting our exhibition.

NEWS

BANKSY GENIUS OR VANDAL Japan tour has ended!
Thank you for 1 million visitors.

Our exhibition is an ongoing world tour that conveys the various activities and social messages of the artist and more than 70 artworks by Banksy are exhibited.

We toured seven cities in Japan and welcomed more than 1 million visitors.

Once again, we thank everyone who visited our exhibition.

Is Banksy a genius or a vandal?
What do you think? Place your vote at the exhibition.

TODAY'S VOTES

THE TOTALS SO FAR

GENIUS

VOTES

VANDAL

VOTES

The exhibition that has sparked wonder and admiration in more than three million people in Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Madrid, Lisbon, and Hong Kong is now coming to Japan!
It makes landfall with more than 70 pieces by Banksy, the UK-based artist that has consistently made headlines worldwide. Is he an artist? A businessman? A genius? Or merely a vandal? Come and see with your own two eyes and decide for yourself!

Banksy

An anonymous artist based in the UK, Banksy’s works appear in unexpected places around the world such as streets, walls and bridges. Perceived by the art world as an artist who produces critical street art aimed at social issues, Banksy is also active in a wide range of areas such as theme parks, accommodation facilities and film production. Unique graffiti using stencils is a typical example of Banksy’s activities and the accompanying epigrams are satirical and full of dark humor. This style was developed on the underground scene in Bristol, a port city in the west of England where one can find lively collaboration between artists and musicians.

EXHIBITION
HIGHLIGHTS

The Largest Collection of Art Pieces that Have Shaken the Global Art Scene is Coming to Japan

Banksy has composed a majority of his graffiti art on walls, and they are often immediately painted over so many of them do not exist today. Nevertheless, several individual collectors have collaborated to put together the world's largest Banksy exhibition—with more than 70 original pieces, illustrations, and 3D objects—right here, in Japan. Take it all in, right up close.

Humorous Satire of the Society Banksy Is Questioning

All of Banksy's popular works are humorous, but they represent a sharp social satire engrained with political messages. In this exhibition, the art is organized by themes, such as "POLICE," "PROTEST,” and "CCTV," that reveal the intent behind each work.

[THROWER] the great triptych of [LOVE IN THE AIR], displayed for the first time in Japan (Fukuoka), which has been interpreted as a representation of love and peace, [GIRL WITH BALLOON] which stands for hope, [RAT] seeing the socially vulnerable in are now showing in FUKUOKA.

Get invaluable experiences with multimedia and installation art, a self-contained arrangement of elements.

This show features many exhibits that let you experience Banksy’s view of the world. Images of his past activities unfold on an impressively large three-panel screen. In an installation that recreates the artist's working environment, an image of Banksy emerges from the stencil molds, spray cans, and other items he uses to produce his art. In addition, a variety of expressions of art such as a video installation of the artwork planned in 2015 for the satirical theme park Dismaland, a reproduction of the sign [NO SWIMMING] installed beside the swimming lake, and more will welcome you.

*The works included in the exhibition in Japan are subject to change.
*Exhibits vary by venues.

GREETINGS

From Curator and Producer of this Exhibition

Alexander Nachkebiya,
CEO of IQ Art Management Corporation

Genius or Vandal? is an exhibition of an unprecedented scale which features works of Banksy’s collectors from around the world. This exhibition approaches Banksy’s work in various ways, giving visitors an experience by using not only his original artworks but also many rear photos, videos, installations and an audio guide.
Many visitors have commented that they have been surprised by the versatility of Banksy’s talent, at how multifaceted Banksy’s activities are.

Banksy is known to be a graffiti artist, but he also has another side—as an outstanding contemporary artist, creating in his studio. He monitors the news, picks and addresses those particular topics that relate and concern each and every one, presents and addresses those topics in his unique way so that we really start thinking, start paying attention, start acting. His images are simple, but somehow they speak right to our hearts and souls, meanings of his works are multilayer. My goal is not only to feature his artworks, but also show the depth of their meaning, make people feel and think again – something that we forgot how to do in our everyday hustle.

The lifespans of Banksy’s street works are very short, and not many people have actually seen the his artworks on the walls. We have been able to gain cooperation from several private collectors and introduce our visitors to the unique talent of Banksy.

I know that people in Japan are very sensitive to art, and I am sure that they will be able to appreciate the talent of Banksy.

TICKETS

This exhibition has ended.
Thank you very much for your visit.

FREE
AUDIO GUIDE

Enjoy the exhibition to the fullest with the audio guide!
An audio guide for more than 70 artworks is available free of charge at the exhibition.
Download the app and enjoy the exhibition with your own headphones.

How to use the Audio Guide

STEP.1
Download the izi.Travel app
that is compatible with your smartphone.
STEP.2
After the app has fully downloaded,
click here to access the page for
the Banksy: Genius or Vandal exhibition.
You can also access the page with this QR code.
STEP.3
Put on your headphones.
STEP.4
Choose your language
from the options offered within the app.
STEP.5
Audio guide numbers are listed on the works with audio guide entries in the venue,
so users can listen to entries by entering the associated number using the keypad in the app.

*Using the app without headphones will interfere with the enjoyment of other guests at the exhibition, so be sure to use headphones.
*Please bring your own smartphone, as we will not have rental smartphones available.
*Radio waves may not reach depending on the carrier of the mobile phone.

FAQ

Exhibition-related questions

Will I have to wait to enter an exhibition if I’m using tickets for a specific date and time?: There will be a line to enter the exhibition near each entry window for people holding tickets for specific dates and times. We recommend that you arrive in the latter half of the window of time listed on your ticket. There is no time limit after you have entered an exhibition, so you can stay until it closes. (Tickets are not valid for re-entry.)
May I take pictures of the work on display?: We permit photography of all the works we have on display. We ask that you do not bring tripods or selfie sticks. No flash photography. Also, to ensure that all our guests feel comfortable during their time at the exhibition, we ask all guests to refrain from behavior that may bother others, including occupying one place for a long period or spreading gear out over a wide area.
May I bring small children with me?: Our exhibitions are open to guests of all ages. Some works may include extreme expressions, so we recommend that parents or guardians accompany all children.
When is less crowded?: Although we can’t guarantee since the situation often changes, weekdays are relatively vacant. Please be sure to allow sufficient time.
Is there a discount for the disabled?: The Sapporo Banksy Exhibition does not offer discounts for visitors with disabilities.
Is there parking for the venue?: There is no parking available at the Higashi-1-Chome Theater, which is the venue for the Sapporo Banksy Exhibition. Visitors are encouraged to use public transportation.

Ticket-related questions

I will not be able to make the time listed on the ticket.: If the window of time listed on the ticket has passed, we will allow you entry during another window. We may not be able to allow you immediate entry, so you may have to wait. We thank you for your understanding. You may not enter before the time listed on your ticket.
I forgot to bring my ticket.: You may not enter without your ticket. When you come visit us, be sure to bring a printed ticket or a smartphone that can display a QR-code ticket.
I want to refund or change a ticket I purchased.: We do not accept any refunds or changes to tickets after they are purchased. Be sure to carefully confirm the date, time, and type of ticket before making a purchase.