“Exit Through the Gift Shop,” Enter the World of Street Art

Even though its original intent was to be a documentary about the street artist Banksy, “Exit Through the Gift Shop” is engrossing because it does not entirely fulfill its initial purpose.  In this film, the subject turns the camera back on its filmmaker Thierry Guetta to alter the story’s focus.  The result is something akin to a “making-of” the project within the documentary itself.  This style allows for a more thorough understanding of the topic, since we see it from the perspective of an outsider and from the view of an artist turned back on the medium.

Banksy describes Guetta’s story as far more interesting than his own, hence his decision shift the focus.  Guetta, a French immigrant to America, becomes notorious for his fixation with chronicling daily life on video from the moment he purchases his first camera.  His obsession with video taping initially confuses those close to him, but over time endears him to them.

A visit with a European cousin who goes by the name Space Invader, provides Guetta his first exposure to the thrilling and illegal world of street art.  Guetta follows his cousin, on his never-ending quest to plaster creations on the walls and bridges of the cityscape.  When Thierry returns to the states, Space Invader follows him to Los Angeles, where he aims to showcase his art in new territory.  Through Space Invader’s connections Thierry links up with a series of other artists whom he follows religiously with a camera.  What these people like about Thierry though, is that he’s not merely there to chronicle the affairs; he becomes an assistant, a look out, and a supporter of their endeavors.

In the UK, the street art movement develops popularity with the influence of the renegade artist Banksy, a man thrust into the spotlight by his visually expressive social commentary.  Guetta is inexplicably drawn to this elusive artist, whose identity and contact information is a well-kept secret.  He decides that he must follow Banksy around on his wild adventures defying the law for creativity.  At first the man whose identity is shrouded in secrecy is hesitant to let this stranger into his world, but over time Banksy comes to love Guetta for his fierce loyalty.

Banksy baffles Guetta however by taking over the documentary and turning the camera back on the him.  This is where the film truly becomes fascinating, as Banksy encourages Guetta to pursue an art career of his own.  The methods by which Thierry approaches the medium differ from his predecessors in significant enough ways to leave you pondering what defines street art and what it means to be an artist.

An even mixture of footage and interviews, this film maintains a solid pace throughout.  Despite the fact that Banksy’s identity in footage is hidden by a hooded outfit and a digitally altered voice, it only adds to his allure.  His delightfully sarcastic sense of humor and brutal honesty that extend to his comments on Thierry’s work make him seem like a fascinating person to know.

With this film, he creates something that is both educational and stimulating, but thought-provoking as well.  Bansky’s chronicle of Guetta, asks you to seriously consider what makes something art, and what makes a person an artist, which are arguably the two most important questions you need to ask yourself when interpreting art.

My Grade: A