After weeks of speculation, it has finally been confirmed that grafitti artist Banksy is holding his latest exhibition in Somerset- titled Dismaland.

The event is running from August 22 to September 27 at Weston-Super-Mare's Tropicana and is a sinister twist on the magical experience of Disneyland.

 

Dismaland features a giant Cinderella style castle that has been burnt, as well as Jimmy Saville Punch and Judy a Grim Reaper dodgem, which dances to the song Staying Alive.

When you walk through the fake airport-style security at the entrance, grumpy guards are on hand to make the experience even more real.

Banksy himself describes the exhibit as a "family theme park unsuitable for children".

Locals in the area were told that Hollywood film company was filming at the Tropicana, and only four people in the entire council knew what was going on.

Speculation had been growing however that Bristol-born Banksy was planning something after a castle and sculpture made from tanker trucks were spotted above the walls.

Many of the shows in the exhibit are about audiemce participation, as well as work from Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer and Jimmy Cauty being featured.

The project comes complete with a fairytale castle, a boat pond full of asylum seekers, two ballet-performing juggernauts and an anarchist training camp running classes in how to break into bus billboards.

Banksy, who was determined to build a venue for low income holidaymakers, said: "This is an art show for the 99% who'd rather be at Alton Towers."

It includes a never-before-seen collection of satirical art and sculpture by Banksy along with work from a range of artists.

The exhibition opens twice daily from this weekend.

Banksy insists it is a deadly serious attempt to assemble the most cutting edge artists in the world right now.

He said: "I banned any imagery of Mickey Mouse from the site. It's a showcase for the best line-up of artists I could imagine, apart from the two who turned me down."

With artists ranging from Jenny Holzer, the first woman to represent the United States in the Venice Biennale, to Ed Hall, a pensioner who has spent 40 years producing every major trade union banner from his garden shed, Banksy stresses that this is "not a street art" show.

Many of Banksy's works will need audience participation to come to life as the show aims to offer an "escape from mindless escapism", organisers say.

Among the exhibits visitors will find a bus-mounted museum looking at the role of design in social control, and a portable cabin in the kids' area offering "loans against your pocket money".

There is also a Punch and Judy show which has been rewritten by Julie Burchill.

A riot control vehicle which was originally commissioned to serve on the streets of Northern Ireland now lies half submerged in a swimming pool sprinkling pretty patterns from its water cannon.

On what the possible meaning of all this can be, Banksy said: "I guess you'd say it's a theme park whose big theme is - theme parks should have bigger themes."

North Somerset Council leader Nigel Ashton said it was a relief to finally be able to talk about the project.

He said: "We have been working closely with the organisers for months now, and for obvious reasons, have had to remain tight-lipped about the true nature of the event. In fact, only four people in the entire council knew what was really happening.

"I had a preview of the exhibition while it was still being assembled last week, and I have to say, it is absolutely brilliant. As well as entertaining, it's also incredibly thought-provoking."

He said he was "hugely proud" that the council is hosting this event as it will welcome "many thousands of people who will visit over the coming weeks, from all over the world."

It could also help with efforts to promote Weston-super-Mare as a centre for contemporary urban living, he claimed.

Dismaland is open everyday for five weeks from August 22 to September 27 from 11am – 11pm.

Admission is £3 and free for the under 5’s.
Capacity is limited, so make sure you book a slot at http://www.dismaland.co.uk/