Banksy opens sinister theme park

It was a popular seaside resort until discount air travel to warmer climes stole its thunder; Weston-Super-Mare has known better days.

But the once-bustling beach town may have just been handed a second life thanks to notorious street artist Banksy, who has opened Dismaland - what he calls a "bemusement park" in the town's derelict swimming pool center.

Visitors to the theme park should remove their rose-colored glasses before entering. They can enjoy a burnt out Disneyland castle, a brightly painted riot van from Northern Island, and a model of a pensioner being mauled by seagulls.

In a statement packed with his usual ironic whit, Banksy called Dismaland, "The UK's most disappointing new visitor attraction."

Damien Hirst and Pussy Riot on board

The installation includes works by Damien Hirst and Jenny Holzer, in what is an unmasked critique of contemporary Western culture - complete with balloons labeled, "I'm an imbecile." Russian punk rock provocateurs Pussy Riot are scheduled to perform over the weekend, as well as Bristol locals Massive Attack.

"I guess you'd say it's a theme park whose big theme is theme parks should have bigger themes," Banksy said in a statement.

The installation, which opens to the general public on Saturday, August 22 - and runs until September 27 - has been welcomed by the local North Somerset Council, with council leader Nigel Ashton proclaiming, "We were absolutely delighted to have the biggest drawing name in art here."

In 2009, over 300,000 people visited a Banksy show in nearby Bristol - where it is believed the secretive artist spent his formative years.

Banksy has built a reputation for his subversive and highly allegorical graffiti art, including works painted on ruined homes in Gaza earlier this year.

jgt/kbm (AFP, Reuters)