Last year, dozens of storm troopers surrounded an abandoned building on Miami Beach, guns blazing. They were joined by a giant Albert Einstein, holding a sign that read "Love Is the Answer." The mystery lasted for about 30 seconds until word got around that street artist Mr. Brainwash was behind the art spectacle titled "Under Construction." Well that abandoned building is now luxury condos Boulan South Beach, and Mr. Brainwash is back to fill the 25,000 square foot space for Art Basel 2011.
The frenchman sprung to infamy after Banksy's Exit through the Gift Shop
film, which portrayed Brainwash (AKA Thierry Guetta) as a fame-hungry street art-factory
riding the coattails of those around him. But his incessant filming
did provide the necessary footage for Gift Shop, which was nominated for Best Documentary at the Academy Awards.
With a style highly derivative of Bansky and Warhol, his first solo exhibition "Life is beautiful'' in L.A. featured over 200 pieces produced by a team of hired assistants. In 2009, Madonna commissioned him to create the cover for her 2009 best-of album Celebration, and he is working with the Red Hot Chilli Peppers as the head of the campaign for the release of their new album.
There are no details about what his new pop-up exhibit will entail, but expect spray-painted stencils and pop art images. We're not sure he knows how to do much else. Banksy, if you're listening, we'd much rather you decorate our city with your inspired visual puns.
Mr. Brainwash will take over Boulan South Beach (2000 Collins Ave., Miami Beach) from November 30 to December 4. Visit mrbrainwash.com.
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