Tate Modern, Damien Hirst

by Christine Barnett. London, UK
Tate Modern is exhibiting Damien Hirst with a substantial survey of his masterpieces. The exhibition will exhibit iconic sculptures from his Natural history series, Including The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living 1991, in which he suspended a shark in formaldehyde. To me this notion is close to Salvador Dali’s The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory, both are very real, everyday and yet, raw and terrifying simultaneously. Incidentally, Dali will be on exhibition at the Tate’s sisterly museum, Tate Britain. Tate Modern has made sure that the medicine cabinets, his vitrines, such as A Thousand Years from 1990, his pill and instrument cabinets were on display. His love for lepidoptery will also be peppered throughout in the form of additional paintings made throughout his career, using butterflies and flies as well as spots and spins. The fascinating display will not be complete without, the two-part installation In and Out of Love, which hasn’t been shown in its entirety since its creation in 1991 and Pharmacy, 1992 will be among the highlights of the exhibition.

“I can’t understand why most people believe in medicine and don’t believe in art, without questioning either,” – Damien Hirst. Recently, Damien Hirst has been accused of being too commercial and focusing on art for the sake of money. I suppose that making a skull worth millions out of diamonds has more commercial twang as opposed to artistic matters, however lets not forget that Damien Hirst was the one to start and pioneer Freeze during his days at Goldsmiths. He was one of the first to direct the movement, and perhaps it gives him the right to diversify and increase his personal “financial infrastructure.” After all, we reward greatness and he isn’t causing any more outrage than bankers; the broadsheets will always be socialistically inclined because they cater to the masses. Art isn’t always meant to be understood or felt, but rather to create a reaction. Perhaps, just like his exhibited shark he provides his audience with an intensive artistic bite. One too big to chew for some? Maybe. Humans are eroding their sense of emotions by watching too much soap, celebrities and living other people‘s lives. Society has long changed since the crusader days, but lets celebrate and value those who strive for an intellectual revolution.

For the Love of God, 2007

The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, 1991

A Thousand Years, 1990

In and Out of Love (White Paintings and Live Butterflies), 1991

Damien Hirst is on show from 4th April to 9th September 2012. Tickets and further information are available from Tate Modern.

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About the author

Christine Barnett went to a boarding school in West Sussex, England. She is fluent in 2 languages, a world traveler and a keen skier. Christine began writing and composing at a very young age. Her grandfather, an accomplished poet who has recently published his 8th book, has inspired and encouraged Christine’s passion for writing . She enjoys character broadening hobbies like oenology, Russian literature, learning new languages, writing about ART, fashion and culture. Christine Barnett