LONDON: The British artist known as Banksy has become the subject of an exhibition in the occupied Palestinian territories.
As a gesture of thanks for his contribution to increasing tourism and awareness, photographs and prints of 20 pieces of artwork have gone on display in Manger Square in the town of Bethlehem, which has been a key site of much of Banksy’s recent activity.
He has been active in the West Bank for over 15 years. Four of his most prominent works are located there.
The anonymous artist recently auctioned a triptych of paintings, depicting scenes alluding to the Mediterranean migration crisis, at the London auction house Sotheby’s, raising £2.2 million ($2.87 million) for a hospital in Bethlehem.
The town is also the site of Banksy’s famous Walled Off hotel, at a location directly opposite a wall erected by Israel, famously claiming to offer the “worst view of any hotel in the world.”
As part of the Manger Square exhibit, the words “Thank you Banksy” were carved across a stretch of beach.
“Banksy always surprises us, and today I want to surprise him, to show Banksy that we’re grateful for the support,” exhibition coordinator Yamen Elabed said in a video message.
“I just want the message of thanks to reach Banksy … He has helped our economy with ‘alternative’ tourism.”
Ayoub Ali, a Bethlehem taxi driver, told the Guardian newspaper that Banksy’s work had helped diversify tourism in Bethlehem, which is a major pilgrimage destination as the site of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Tourists “only know Bethlehem is where Jesus was born, the Church of the Nativity — which I am proud of — but Banksy’s idea is also to see where there are 3 million Palestinians living, in the West Bank,” Ali said.
The town has suffered a serious drop in tourism since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic led to global lockdowns and the virtual suspension of international aviation.
“This city relies on tourism. So many people are now out of a job, with the closing of hotels, souvenir shops, many restaurants, tour companies and a lack of work for tour guides like myself,” Elabed said. “We all are just waiting for tourism to return.”
Visitors to the exhibition are given a free Banksy-themed face mask upon arrival.
Elabed said the artist had put himself at serious risk by doing so much to highlight the plight of the Palestinian people.
“It was a risk because during the first uprising and second uprising, drawing graffiti on the wall was forbidden. Many people got hurt or arrested for doing graffiti. So Banksy did a lot for Palestinians,” Elabed added. “We want to see him again in Palestine.”
Grateful town of Bethlehem holds Banksy exhibition
https://arab.news/882xd
Grateful town of Bethlehem holds Banksy exhibition
- Banksy has been active in the West Bank for over 15 years
- Visitors to the exhibition are given a free Banksy-themed face mask upon arrival
The Grammys red carpet is open. Music stars tend to go bold with their fashion
- he Grammy Awards began in 1959 by honoring music legends from Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin.
- At this year’s Grammys red carpet, some stars are embracing the unconventional
The 68th Grammys red carpet is in full swing with Gen Z stars like Lola Young and PinkPantheress delivering fresh takes on red carpet fashion.
The British rising stars who are shaking up the music industry with their individual sounds both opted for vastly different Vivienne Westwood looks Sunday. Best new artist nominee Young, who is back after taking a brief hiatus last year, sported an army green sweatsuit printed with children’s toys on the carpet. PinkPantheress opted for a signature corseted off-the-shoulder gown draped with the Union Jack symbol.
The Grammys are a night of rule-breaking looks and memorable fashion statements where artists shed the traditional playbook of red carpet dressing and take style risks. For music’s biggest night Sunday, celebrities will playfully toe the line between costume and contemporary whether it’s with sexy, dramatic or eccentric ensembles.
Stars respectfully toned down their attire last year, choosing instead to go with more subdued or all black looks in light of the destruction left by the Los Angeles wildfires.
At this year’s Grammys red carpet, some stars are embracing the unconventional.
FKA Twigs brought her album “Eusexua” to life on the carpet wearing a beige sheer flowy Paolo Carzana dress which she paired with a book and an orchid. The artist told Variety that the book is part of the lore of her “Eusexua” album for which she won best dance/electronic album early in the night.
With any red carpet, there is bound to be some drama. Two stars had a fashion face-off at the start of the night with singer Ledisi and TV host Jasmine Simpkins both flaunting the same off-the-shoulder pink peach dress with sparkly tinsel.
A green Versace becomes legendary
The Grammy Awards began in 1959 by honoring music legends from Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., and Dean Martin. Since then, red carpet dressing has only become more daring and over-the-top.
Who could forget Jennifer Lopez’s legendary Versace green dress at the 2000 Grammy Awards? The jungle-print dress with its striking decolletage is credited as the inspiration behind Google Images, according to Google, due to the high volume of search queries online at the time to see photos of the dress.
Last year, model Bianca Censori took the meaning of barely there to new heights when she posed with Rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, on the carpet in a transparent dress with nothing underneath.
Unlike the tuxedos at other award shows, male Grammy nominees often shake things up. Singer-songwriter Darren Criss was one of the first to arrive Sunday shortly after the carpet opened. Criss, who is hosting the Grammys premiere ceremony, donned a shimmering lace suit from Tanner Fletcher with an off-white silk cravat shaped into a bow. He paired it with his signature painted nails.
Newcomers get to shine
At the Grammys, the carpet is a chance for up-and-coming artists to shine among industry legends and their peers.
This year, a fashionable bunch of artists make up the hotly contested best new artist category. Rising star Addison Rae aptly has a song titled “High Fashion.” Will the starlet wear an archival fashion look?
Chappell Roan, who won best new artist last year, donned a yellow tulle archival Jean Paul Gaultier couture gown printed with Degas’ famous ballerinas on the carpet. She later wore several other looks throughout the ceremony.
The showstopping getups don’t stop once the carpet closes for the night. Some celebrities debut new looks inside. Miley Cyrus stunned in a shimmery silver Bob Mackie number while performing her hit song “Flowers” onstage in 2024. The stylish list of performers set to perform this year includes Lady Gaga, Sabrina Carpenter, Justin Bieber and Pharrell Williams.
How to watch
The Associated Press will stream a four-hour red carpet show with interviews and fashion footage. It will be streamed on YouTube and APNews.com.
The main show will air live from LA’s Crypto.com Arena on CBS beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern Sunday. Paramount+ premium plan subscribers will be able to stream the telecast live, too. (Paramount+ essential subscribers will have on-demand access the next day.)
The Grammys can also be watched through live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV.
