LONDON (AP) β An anarchic amusement park by street artist Banksy that mocked capitalism and consumer culture has brought an economic boom to a faded seaside town.
Banksy’s Dismaland “bemusement park” transformed a derelict outdoor swimming pool in Weston-Super-Mare into a macabre parody of a theme park, complete with a derelict castle, a dead Cinderella and a Grim Reaper in a bumper car.
Local officials say the attraction, which closes Sunday after five weeks, drew more than 150,000 people to the southwest England town of 75,000.
Tourism body Visit Somerset said Friday the exhibition had brought 20 million pounds ($30 million) to a region that has struggled since foreign vacations replaced local seaside holidays for many Britons.
Officials hope to use the shuttered site for future art and performance events.
