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Banksy opens hotel overlooking West Bank barrier
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Banksy’s aim is to encourage dialogue and revive the economy
ritish street artist Banksy has returned with his latest politically-minded project: a nine-room hotel located next
to the barrier wall separating Israel from the Palestinian territories. The Walled Off Hotel, located in the Israeli-controlled part of Bethlehem, has been opened as
Work by Banksy and other
both a genuine business venture
artists features throughout
and a piece of protest art.
the Walled Off Hotel Work by Banksy and other
Israeli border policeman and
exhibits all feature. The hotel
Palestinian in a pillow fight and
directly overlooks a stretch of
security cameras attached to the
the West Bank barrier, and is
walls like mounted trophies.
described by Banksy as having the "worst view in the world."
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Banksy’s aim is to encourage dialogue, and the hotel will feature
According to The Guardian,
exhibitions by Palestinian artists.
Banksy wants to attract jobs and
He has said people from all sides
tourists to the city, whose economy
of the Middle East conflict are
has been badly damaged following
welcome to stay, and the project is
tight Israeli travel restrictions.
not affiliated to any political group.
The artist has said the hotel is
The design is themed like an English gentlemen’s club
vase of flowers, a picture of an
artists, a themed bar and interactive
Some of the artist’s most famous
“decorated to resemble an English
stencils have appeared directly
gentlemen’s club from colonial
on the West Bank barrier wall,
times” in recognition of the histori-
including a picture of two children
cal role Britain played in the region.
with bucket and spade standing
Art works in the guest rooms include a caged painting of a
beneath a hole in the wall, revealing a tropical paradise beyond.
CLAD mag 2017 ISSUE 2