Dismaland

There's not an awful lot for me to remark about Dismaland apart from a few select artworks because it didn't make me think all that much. Perhaps because of all the media hype and 'spoiler' images I had seen prior to going, or perhaps because I already find amusement parks pretty dismal, or perhaps because contemporary art and pop culture is already so saturated with political satire and societal disillusionment that it didn't shock me, dismay me or even change my opinions on things. I laughed a few times: at the sassy 'No Smiling' security, at David Shrigley's 'Topple the Anvil - with ping pong balls' game (I'm down with any work to do with futility) and at an animation of high diving giraffes by Nicolas Devaux, but there were no moments of wonder, no questions lingering in mind when i left (except perhaps why not).

I did like this gothic, anatomical crockery by Israeli artist Ronit Baranga, which was displayed in a 'freak show' themed tipi alongside a taxidermy unicorn by Damien Hirst. I enjoyed the uncanny and absurd, and kind of comical sense of the set up. Turning something pristine and crafted into something unsettling is really curious.

tbc