Banksy Sets Up Illegal Stall at Venice Biennale, Takes Aim at Cruise Ships

Banksy has released a new Instagram video showing him setting up an unauthorized stall in Venice, selling paintings of a cruise ship looming over the lagoon. The video, set to "Que Sera, Sera," features passersby commenting that the works are "even more beautiful than what we saw at the Biennale" and calling the cruise ship a "monster." Banksy's caption states he is "preparing my stall at the Venice Biennale" and notes he has never been invited to the prestigious event, continuing his critique of the official art system. The video ends with police asking for his permit, forcing him to pack up and leave. The stunt also reignites debate over cruise ships in Venice, which UNESCO has warned threaten the city's status as a World Heritage site. Venice mayor Luigi Brugnaro has defended the cruise industry, calling proposals to dock ships at sea "crazy" and accusing critics of ignorance. This follows Banksy's earlier Venice intervention during the 58th Biennale opening, where he painted a migrant child wearing a life jacket on a wall in Dorsoduro.