Banksy Universe: Everything you need to know about the Manila exhibit

The Banksy Universe exhibit happening at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila (The M) has been the talk of the town ever since it was first announced in April.

Although it piqued curiosity, most criticized the event for going against Banksy’s messages and principles of being anti-elite and bringing art to the masses, given the fact that it is set up in a museum at the Bonifacio Global City.

Given the conversations and speculations around it, here is everything you need to know about Banksy Universe Manila.

When, where, and by who

Banksy Universe Manila opens on May 14 and will run until November 20 at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila, MK Tan Centre, 30th St., BGC, Taguig. The museum is open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesdays to Fridays, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays.

The M will charge admission for the exhibit, with prices to be announced soon. To visit the Banksy exhibit, guests must purchase an all-access pass from metmuseum.helixpay.ph/categories/tickets. The ticket also gives guests access to all exhibitions in The M.

The exhibit is headed by Banksy Universe, an anonymous group of Banksy enthusiasts and collectors from around the world, who aim to bring the artist’s works to a larger audience. Some items from the exhibit are from Filipino collectors.

The Banksy Universe exhibit was almost a year in the making, with the group first reaching out to The M in June 2023.

 

^{Photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Manila}

Why Banksy’s art is displayed in a museum

Bambina Olivares-Wise, The M Special Exhibitions and Projects Consultant, told members of the press that they understand the irony and people’s frustrations of displaying Banksy’s work in a museum, a place that welcomes “the status quo that Banksy rails against in his art.”

“We understand the role, the institutionalized role of a museum in society. But museums are not, I mean, at least we're nonprofit,” Olivares said in an interview with GMA News Online. “We're not here for the money, basically.”

However, Olivares said that the museum is first and foremost a venue for art and encourages everybody to come see the exhibit to see Banksy’s messages.

“We're also highlighting these issues that he is highlighting, and because we also strongly feel that they resonate with us: our experiences as Filipinos living in the Philippines or even as citizens of the world,” she said.

Olivares added that The M and the exhibit are also guided by Banksy’s quote: "I still encourage anyone to copy, borrow, steal, and amend my art for amusement, academic research or activism.”

“The museum is a center of education, and academic research also, and amusement, right. We hope people come in and enjoy the exhibition,” she said.

Banksy Universe member and spokesperson Chris Johnson also told GMA News Online, “Our target market isn't an elitist Manila. It is the greater population of Manila.”

Johnson said that the exhibit is not financially backed and sponsored, but was brought about out of the members’ pockets.

Though the group thought about placing the exhibit outdoors such as in a parking lot, there were issues with security and vandalism, among others.

For these reasons, they partnered with The M.

“For us, number one was to look for a partner that had the same ethos as us which is, you know, in this case, Metropolitan Museum [which stands for] art for all. You know, art should be for all in every form and medium,” Johnson said.

 

^{Photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Manila}

What’s inside

Banksy Universe Manila holds both original pieces from collectors and reproductions of Banksy’s works. The original pieces are authenticated by Banksy’s agency, Pest Control Office.

As soon as guests walk in, they will hear the sounds of a can shaking and spray paint. The space is initially dark, but lights are automated and turn on when guests walk in front of a piece, to bring the feeling of surprise when a Banksy artwork is discovered out in public. The exhibit traces Banksy’s work from when they were first discovered in London, and how they brought their art in cities like Los Angeles and New York.

The original Banksy pieces displayed include framed numbered prints, memorabilia from Banksy’s anti-Disneyland theme park called Dismaland and The Walled Off Hotel, and vinyl covers, among others are also displayed.

The place is also filled with reproduced murals of Banksy’s famous pieces such as the “Kissing Coppers” in Brighton and the ones on the Palestine side of the Israeli West Bank barrier. A recreated version of Banksy’s work “Love is in the Bin” is also displayed, which is the famously half-shredded artwork of a girl holding a balloon.

Descriptions of where the art was found and its meanings are put right next to the reproduced pieces. Short documentary videos are also placed throughout the exhibit.

The exhibit also houses several interactive spots like a phone booth and a bench underneath a mural of a claw. There is even a wall where guests are allowed to draw or write on, which has the text, “This wall is a designated graffiti area.”

A studio filled with Banksy’s stencils is among the first reproduced set-ups.

Banksy Universe Manila also recreated the lobby of The Walled Off Hotel, which Banksy put up in Bethlehem to raise awareness of the struggles of Palestine in the hands of Israel and confront war and conflict through satirical art. Original pieces such as a mug with the text “The worst view in the world,” bath soap, and hotel souvenirs are displayed in glass cases.

An advocacy

Banksy Universe Manila is done in partnership with Childhope Philippines, a non-government organization that protects and educates children in the streets. The partnership aims to give opportunities for children to learn new talents and to express themselves.

Before the exhibit’s opening, the Banksy Universe collective conducted a spray painting workshop for the kids.

“They absolutely loved it because it's a form of art that they've never been, you know, subjected to, and just seeing the smile on their faces when they were like, painting these little hearts and everything—it really encompasses what we're trying to achieve here, and that is to bring a better future to street kids in the Philippines,” Johnson said.

Childhope’s work is also similar to the messages of Banksy’s art, which is to give children a meaningful life away from poverty and other abusive circumstances.

Johnson added that the partnership also aims to “get the general population to be more aware about the messages that a universal artist like Banksy is trying to promote, and try to see the parallels in our society today.”

The universal messages

Banksy’s pieces tackle themes like anti-war, anti-capitalism, anti-abuse, anti-consumerism, anti-fascism, anti-imperialism, anti-authoritarianism, anarchism, and nihilism.

Through media such as spray painting and even sculpture, their works also explore the existentialism, greed, poverty, hypocrisy, boredom, and loneliness of humanity, among many others.

With these in mind, Banksy Universe Manila aims to showcase the messages Banksy highlights in their work, all that they stand for, and the strength to rebel and go against the grain.

Johnson added that the exhibit is also a way to start conversations on Filipino societal issues.

“Whether it's conflict or LGBTQ or domestic abuse, or, you know, child slavery, human trafficking—these are all themes that we highlight in this exhibit. Why? Why highlight these themes here in the Philippines? Because the Philippines is also challenged by these issues from a social perspective, right?” Johnson said.  “So we need to address this through our art and hopefully get people to be more mindful about the different issues that we deal with as Filipinos.”

 

^{Photo courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Manila}

Sparking conversations

Banksy Universe Manila has already sparked conversations even before its public opening. And based on the messages that Banksy wants to share, there is clearly more to be talked about.

“Well, going back to my first Banksy exhibit, when I left, I felt a feeling of sadness because it's still happening,” Johnson said. “But at the same time, I was very happy to see that there was an artist that was addressing these issues through his art and getting that type of attention around his art because you know, this helps.”

Johnson added, “This helps the greater population really, again, spark those dialogues and those debates around these issues, right. If they hadn't been done by Banksy, then maybe they never would have been addressed in an art form.” —JCB, GMA Integrated News