Banksy’s Dismaland theme park to be turned into shelters for migrants in Calais

Nick Thompson
Nick Thompson, CNN
Updated 6:19 AM EDT, Wed September 30, 2015
Banksy's Dismaland theme park -- the street artist's dystopian take on Disneyland -- opened in August in southwest England, and tickets sold out within hours.
Banksy's Dismaland theme park -- the street artist's dystopian take on Disneyland -- opened in August in southwest England, and tickets sold out within hours.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
Marketed as a "bemusement park," it featured work from fellow contemporary artists Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer and Jimmy Cauty.
Marketed as a "bemusement park," it featured work from fellow contemporary artists Damien Hirst, Jenny Holzer and Jimmy Cauty.
Matthew Horwood/Getty Images
This Cinderella piece -- taken inside of the decrepit castle at the center of the park -- riffs on the death of Princess Diana.
This Cinderella piece -- taken inside of the decrepit castle at the center of the park -- riffs on the death of Princess Diana.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
Over 50 artists from 17 countries were represented among the works shown. Banksy contributed a selection of new works of his own, including this installation of a woman being attacked by seagulls.
Over 50 artists from 17 countries were represented among the works shown. Banksy contributed a selection of new works of his own, including this installation of a woman being attacked by seagulls.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
This killer whale jumping out of a toilet piece by Banksy was also on the grounds.
This killer whale jumping out of a toilet piece by Banksy was also on the grounds.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
Not every piece was quite so whimsical. This more topical installation -- one of the many games at the amusement park -- makes a powerful statement about the ongoing migrant crisis.
Not every piece was quite so whimsical. This more topical installation -- one of the many games at the amusement park -- makes a powerful statement about the ongoing migrant crisis.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
Many of the artworks shown were politically motivated. This one by Peter Kennard and Cat Phillips makes a clear statement about Britain's current political leadership.
Many of the artworks shown were politically motivated. This one by Peter Kennard and Cat Phillips makes a clear statement about Britain's current political leadership.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
Big Rig Jig, a sculpture by Mike Ross, on display at Dismaland.
Big Rig Jig, a sculpture by Mike Ross, on display at Dismaland.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
One of the highlights of the exhibition? The staff, who were convincingly glum throughout.
One of the highlights of the exhibition? The staff, who were convincingly glum throughout.
YUI MOK/PA Wire/PA Photos/Landov
It's not the first time Banksy has played on the amusement park theme. In a poignantly different scene from earlier in the year, a child in Beit Hanoun, Gaza walks past a mural that depicts children using an Israeli watchtower as a swing ride.
It's not the first time Banksy has played on the amusement park theme. In a poignantly different scene from earlier in the year, a child in Beit Hanoun, Gaza walks past a mural that depicts children using an Israeli watchtower as a swing ride.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
In this image, taken in Februrary, a Palestinian child stands next to a Banksy mural of a kitten on the remains of a house that was destroyed during the war between Israel and Hamas in the summer of 2014.
In this image, taken in Februrary, a Palestinian child stands next to a Banksy mural of a kitten on the remains of a house that was destroyed during the war between Israel and Hamas in the summer of 2014.
Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty Images
The secretive street artist built his reputation on playful images that began appearing on the walls of London and Bristol in the early 1990s. This image is from 2006.
The secretive street artist built his reputation on playful images that began appearing on the walls of London and Bristol in the early 1990s. This image is from 2006.
Dave Etheridge-Barnes/Getty Images
Banksy's work often plays with overtly political themes such as surveillance culture and state corruption.
Banksy's work often plays with overtly political themes such as surveillance culture and state corruption.
Matt Cardy/Getty Images
... not to mention many a humorous dig at Britain's police force.
... not to mention many a humorous dig at Britain's police force.
Paul Hartnett/PYMCA/Getty
Banksy famously took his firebrand style to the streets of New York in 2013, with a series of artworks appearing over the course of a month in neighborhoods around the city.
Banksy famously took his firebrand style to the streets of New York in 2013, with a series of artworks appearing over the course of a month in neighborhoods around the city.
Daniel Pierce Wright/Getty Images
The amusement park theme also made its way to New York's Lower East Side, during his month-long "residency" with this ghoulish exhibit "Grim Reaper Bumper Car."
The amusement park theme also made its way to New York's Lower East Side, during his month-long "residency" with this ghoulish exhibit "Grim Reaper Bumper Car."
Jason Szenes/EPA/Landov
Despite his anti-establishment roots, Banksy has gone on to garner great enthusiasm from the high-end art market world. This stencil print "Love is in the Air" sold for $248,000 in 2013.
Despite his anti-establishment roots, Banksy has gone on to garner great enthusiasm from the high-end art market world. This stencil print "Love is in the Air" sold for $248,000 in 2013.
JUSTIN TALLIS/AFP/Getty Images
But not everyone is a fan. This Banksy mural depicting pigeons holding anti-immigration signs was destroyed by the local council in Clacton-on-Sea, England on October 1 after the council received complaints that the artwork was offensive.
But not everyone is a fan. This Banksy mural depicting pigeons holding anti-immigration signs was destroyed by the local council in Clacton-on-Sea, England on October 1 after the council received complaints that the artwork was offensive.
Courtesy Banksy
Banksy's 'bemusement park': Dismaland

Story highlights

Banksy to dismantle Dismaland "bemusement park" and turn it into shelters for refugees

Exhibition featured a run-down castle, a dead Cinderella, and a pond filled with migrant boats

NEW: Official says Calais has received no request from Banksy to move pieces of exhibition

Dismaland reportedly brought in £20 million for economy in southwest England

London CNN  — 

Banksy’s Dismaland, the “most disappointing” theme park in Britain, will be broken down and turned into shelters for migrants in France, the street artist has said.

“Coming soon … Dismaland Calais,” a statement on the park’s website announced Monday. “All the timber and fixtures from Dismaland are being sent to the ‘Jungle’ refugee camp near Calais to build shelters. No online tickets will be available.”