Banksy's Unauthorized MUDEC Show: Protest or Marketing?

An unauthorized retrospective of Banksy, titled 'A Visual Protest. The Art of Banksy,' opened at the MUDEC museum in Milan, curated by Gianni Mercurio. The exhibition gathers about 80 works from private collections, none removed from public spaces. It is part of MUDEC's broader 'Geografie del futuro' project exploring how technology and social landscapes define knowledge boundaries. Despite Banksy's public opposition to the art market—his website lists 'fake' exhibitions including this one, with a pink 'FAKE' graffiti over the poster—the show drew over 10,000 visitors in its first five days. Works include 'Kissing Coppers' (Brighton), 'Flower Thrower' (Jerusalem), and 'Girl with Balloon.' Sections address war, consumerism, and subversion of iconic images, such as 'Can’t Beat The Feelin’' (Mickey Mouse and Ronald McDonald with a napalm victim) and 'Turf War' (Winston Churchill as punk icon). The exhibition also features about 60 vinyl and CD covers designed by Banksy, 40 memorabilia items, a documentary, and a multimedia space revealing locations where Banksy has operated.