“Hirst is basically a pirate, and his skill is shown by the way in which he has managed to bluff so many art-related people, from museum personnel such as Tate’s Nicholas Serota to billionaires in the New York real-estate trade, into giving credence to his originality and the importance of his “ideas”.” (Hughes, 2008)
Damien Hirst is undeniably one of the most controversial artists of our time, and it’s not without reason. I chose him as the subject of my paper not because I’m a fan of his work, but because I truly believe he is an artist who challenges the traditional definition of art and pushes the boundaries of what art represents. While I will agree with most critics that his pieces are priced ridiculously high, I will be the first to argue that his pieces are incredibly creative, unique and moving. Take his work The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living (1991) for example, also known as The Shark. This piece showcases a whole Tiger Shark fully submerged in formaldehyde in a glass tank. This piece garnered so much attention when it first debuted in 1991, and when it sold for $8million, it stirred up a mix of admiration and criticism. While some critics claimed that the artwork was simply a sensationalist trick, others applauded Hirst for his ability to question and redefine traditional concepts of art and beauty (King).
Despite the criticism, I genuinely believe that Hirst managed to capture the essence of the “physical impossibility of death in the mind of someone living.” Usually, people only encounter sharks through screens, books, or the internet. Seeing a shark up close, as portrayed in this artwork, would normally mean you are in a life-threatening situation and are seconds away from dying. This piece puts you in that position and confronts you with the fragility of life and your mortality. Ethics aside, Hirst definitely created an emotionally powerful and thought-provoking artwork. Even looking at it through a screen, I can feel how terrifying it must be to stand in front of this piece and look straight into the open mouth of a tiger shark.
Another thing I find intriguing about this piece is how it deviates from the usual art you come across in museums and galleries. Instead of the typical paintings or sculptures, Hirst boldly breaks “tradition” by using a real shark as the artistic medium to convey his message. I think this departure from the basics demonstrates his creativity and daring approach, which I truly admire. While many artists might choose to approach the same theme with brush and canvas, Hirst’s decision to bring an actual shark into the art space adds an extra layer of fascination and audacity. If I was walking through that exhibition space in 1991, I would definitely look twice at the giant shark in the room, probably not at the 3×4 painting on one of the many walls. This piece grabs my attention and highlights the unique path Hirst takes in expressing his ideas. It’s this unconventional choice and the sheer nerve behind it that deepen my appreciation for this piece.
References
Hughes, R. (2008, September 13). Day of the Dead. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2008/sep/13/damienhirst.art
King, E. (n.d.). The king of controversial art: How Damien Hirst shook The World of Contemporary Art: MyArtBroker: Article. MyArtBroker. https://www.myartbroker.com/artist-damien-hirst/articles/the-king-of-controversial-art