Analysis Of Exit Through The Gift Shop

Exit through the Gift Shop follows an eccentric man on his way from being a shopkeeper to an amateur film maker and finally to a known street artist. The film makes the audience think about the authenticity of art, the purpose of street art and the process of becoming an artist. The most important argument, however, is that street art is not about the money. Throughout the film, we follow various street artists, from Space Invader to Shepard Fairey, and finally to Banksy. We are also introduced to Mr. Brainwash, or Thierry Guetta. In the film, one of the most important arguments is that street art is not about the money, or the fame. While the artists that Guetta filmed started from the bottom, he, himself, as Mr. Brainwash, “was determined …show more content…
Guetta’s solution to this was to hire people to make the art pieces for him. “And if he didn't know how to do any of these things himself, he could always employ people who did.” The audience would then see how Guetta would bypass the artistic process. Banksy also says “I don't think Thierry played by the rules, in some ways…” which implies that there is a process and that a person should pay his/her dues. Shepard Fairey also comments that “To put a huge body of work together and sort of try to, you know, come out as if he is a fully formed artist ready for the world stage I think was a little premature.” The argument that street art is not about the money is proven through comparing and contrasting the style and purpose of the other street artists to Guetta’s. In the start of the film, the audience sees influential streets artists, who all focus on distinct messages, and do it all for the love of art. Compared to Guetta, when he creates his own style of work, he copies the style and message of other famous …show more content…
In the first part of the documentary, the audience sees Guetta following the street artists. The audience sees an eccentric man, with no direction in life, and empathizes with him. The audience is also told of the cause of Guetta’s obsession with filming everything around him. This leads the audience to pity Guetta. In the second part of the documentary, the audience is shown Guetta who is trying to find Banksy, and when he finally finds him, is tasked to make a documentary. In the last part of documentary, the audience sees Guetta being turned into Mr. Brainwash. By this part of the film, Guetta’s actions have turned the audience against him. The audience then empathizes with the artists who feel responsible for turning Guetta into Mr. Brainwash. As said by Shepard Fairey, “How do I feel about being partially responsible for creating Mr. Brainwash? I feel like, um... I had the best intentions. I think even when you have the best intentions, sometimes things can go