'The Walled Off Hotel' by Banksy, 2017-2023
Original business card from the artist's world-famous (now closed) hotel in Bethlehem, West Bank, Palestine.
2.2 x 3.35 Inches
5.6 x 8.5 Centimeters
Offset lithograph in black on white cardstock with Banksy's inspiring Barbed-Wire artwork on front.
Excellent original condition.
Includes gallery Certificate of Authenticity.
ABOUT THE ART
ROOMS:
If you stay at the Walled Off, you could find yourself literally sleeping inside a work of art. So far Banksy, Sami Musa and Dominique Petrin have customised guest rooms, more will follow.
As Diane Arbus once said 'to live with an artwork is something different, to glimpse it from the corner of your eye.'
The hotel boasts floor to ceiling views of graffiti-strewn concrete from almost every room. And for the exhibitionists amongst you - many are within range of the army watchtower. All scenic rooms are ensuite and equipped with wifi, fridge, radio, personal safe and air conditioning.
Outfitted with surplus items from an Israeli military barracks, this room offers a bed from $70 a night. No frills, includes locker, personal safe, shared bathroom, complimentary earplugs.
FACILITIES:
Britain got its hands on Palestine in 1917 and the piano bar is themed as a colonial outpost from those heady days. It is equipped with languid ceiling fans, leather bound couches and an air of undeserved authority. Guests can peruse a collection of Banksy artworks that include vandalised oil paintings and statues choking on tear gas fumes. Warm scones and freshly brewed tea are served daily on fine bone china and the Walled Off Salad should not be missed.
GALLERY:
This space enjoys complete autonomy from the rest of the hotel. It is the largest permanent platform for Palestinian artists to showcase their work in Palestine. Local curators are invited to organise the regularly changing roster of exhibitions. Many of the most notable Palestinian artist work is on display here, including Suliman Mansour and Nail Anani. An adjoining space is dedicated to temporary shows by emerging artists. The gallery sells original work, prints and postcards.
MUSEUM:
This home-made attraction is dedicated solely to the biography of the wall. It contains state-of-the-art audio visual presentations and a very old tree. Other highlights includes an animated history of the region, military pornography and original beach sculpture from Gaza. The cinema plays excerpts from the mighty Oscar nominated 'Five Broken Cameras' - and one of those very same bullet-damaged cameras is on display.
Curated in association with Dr Gavin Grindon from Essex University the museum contains almost fully fact-checked material and will be an ongoing repository for local stories, artefacts and testimonies.
BOOKSHOP:
We don't have TV's but we have this - a bookshop stocked with every title about the wall ever published. Residents can borrow selected items for a small deposit.