AN ART festival in Aberdeen will show the UK premiere of a Banksy documentary, it has been announced.
The art festival, Nuart Aberdeen, has secured the exclusive premiere of Banksy And The Stolen Girl documentary which will be double billed during the festival with a talk from German artist Hera on June 6.
The French documentary about the British artist is about the stolen The Sad Girl mural which Banksy painted on the doors of the Bataclan concert hall in Paris in memory of those who died in 2015 terrorist attack.
The artwork was brazenly stolen in the dead of night and the culprit has yet to be found and the documentary, directed by Edoardo Anselmi, tells the story, but with a teased twist ending.
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Martyn Reed, the curator of Nuart Aberdeen, said: “To be the first with anything to do with Banksy these days, particularly outside of huge international media and PR channels is unheard of, so in that sense it’s very much a coup.”
Councillor Martin Greig, culture spokesperson for Aberdeen City Council, says the art festival is really helping to push conversation about culture in the city.
He said: “The premiere of the Banksy documentary and the conversation with Hera are just two examples of how as a city we’re growing the Nuart festival.
“In addition to transforming the streetscape, we’re stimulating conversations about art and its place in the cultural landscape.”
Reed also teased that there have been recent developments in the Banksy stolen artwork saga and has speculated there may be a new ending to the story.
He said: “ It’s a fascinating documentary about a very special work, unlike anything I’ve seen before.
“There’s also been a recent development in the case, so as an added bonus, not only is it a UK premiere, it may have a new ending.
“If you’re interested in anything to do with this artist, his work, street art or true crime documentaries, then it’s probably something for you.”
Alongside the premier screening of the Banksy documentary, there is also a talk with Hera (Jasmin Siddiqi) and art critic Carlo McCormick.
Hera, who is part of the duo Herakut, has already left their stamp on the Granit City as she created the iconic Nuart mural on the Aberdeen Market building.
This year she will be working on the towering Union Point at the harbour.
Speaking about Hera Reed said: “She’s a fascinating character with wonderful stories and a rich history in the culture, it’s rare to secure such an up close and personal insight into her work.
“Carlo McCormick is a certified legend in urban art, a friend to the stars of the New York art scene such as Haring, Basquiat, and many others, so this will be an event to remember.
“It’s an absolute joy and privilege to be able to work with such names and have them programmed together in this way is really unique to Aberdeen.”
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