14 DAY TRIAL // British guerrilla artist Banksy is in LA now, just in time for Sunday’s Oscars. Should he decide to show up at the awards ceremony, since he’s a nominee in the Best Documentary category, he can do so – even if he’s wearing his monkey mask.
Since Banksy drawings have been popping up all over the town, speculation has been rife on whether he has any plans to attend the Academy Awards 2011.
Some believed he would, especially since he’s favorite to win the statuette with his controversial “Exit Through the Gift Shop,” a production that still has people talking about whether it’s a real documentary or just another Banksy hoax.
At the same time, those who believed he’d show up also thought he’d do so in disguise because, understandably, he still wishes to have his identity kept from the public.
He’d come to the Oscars in his monkey mask, it was said, which prompted a response from the Academy saying something along the lines that he was not welcome.
Deadline reports now that the Academy has had a change of heart: if Banksy wishes to attend the ceremony, he may do so no matter his choice of attire or face mask.
“Performance artist /graffiti painter /political activist Banksy is supposedly the director of the film Exit Through The Gift Shop nominated for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar,” Deadline says.
“Internet reports all week have claimed he is banned from attending the awards in disguise (he wanted to come dressed as a monkey),” the e-zine reports.
So, Deadline reached out to Academy President Tom Sherak for a comment on whether Banksy is banned from the Oscars or not. As it turns out, he’s not.
“The media is making it exciting with all the questions about Banksy. I think it’s all good and if he shows up, he shows up. I won’t stop him,” Sherak says in a statement for the movie-oriented publication.
One can’t help but note that publicity from Banksy’s connection to the Academy Awards doesn’t hurt either – especially if he decides to show up.