Guerrilla artist Banksy has opened his first official exhibition in New York yesterday. “Village Pet Store And Charcoal Grill” is at 89 7th Avenue between West 4th and Bleeker Street. The fake pet shop he’s created aims to question “our relationship with animals and the ethics and sustainability of factory farming.”

The BBC has more photos and full info and video is available from Wooster Collective. Finally, an art exhibit that I care enough to go see. Take that Damien Hirst, you sick bastard.

I’ll post a full report after I pay a visit to the exhibit, which runs until October 31st and is open daily from 10am until midnight.

4 Comments

1. 
   Comment by

   Roseann Marulli

   on October 14, 2008 at 12:20 pm #

   Saw the installation last night–powerful, powerful stuff. What a creative way to approach animal issues. Long live Banksy! And if you haven’t gone to see it yet, get yourself down there ASAP!!!!! Thanks for the tip, Anne.

2. 
   Comment by

   Roseann Marulli

   on October 14, 2008 at 2:26 pm #

   Okay, I take back the long live Banksy comment, since a friend just reminded me why his name rang a bell: his painted elephant “piece.” Has Banksy learned his lesson, hence the animatronics, one can only hope?????

3. 
   Comment by

   gaijingirl

   on October 22, 2008 at 9:35 pm #

   Got to see the exhibit this weekend (it was a surprise from my husband, who didn’t tell me what we were going to see.) And wow…I was really quite impressed. In the past, I’ve done a bit of FX work myself, and I have to say…the animatronics in the exhibit are *superb* (especially the chimp.) And what a great way to get the message across, in a semi-subtle and really startling way. Check this thing out before it’s gone! (FYI, the cheetah’s pretty good too!)

4. 
   Comment by

   ArtStar

   on May 14, 2009 at 4:14 pm #

   Hi,

   I am selling some Banksy Di-Faced tenner prints.

   If you are interested, Please email me at artstar2009 (at) gmail.com

   Thanks!