Thursday, September 18, 2008

Is this art?

UK artist Damien Hirst has just auctioned 200 or so of his controversial works for $300 million. He likes to dice and pickle animals, but sometimes he just pickles them whole. Or in bits. Pickled cow in formaldehyde, anyone?

Is this something you'd want in your living room? Is this ART?

Personally I think it's sick.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

just one word...ewww.

Sophie said...

That's just disturbing!!! How is it that these people get into galleries???

arlee said...

Saw this on the news last night--i'm not sure that art hasn't been subverted just to make money here from people who live by the shock rule. It would go well with the Meat Dress that was in an Ontario Canada gallery for awhile--yuk yuk yuk.
It doesn't even educate as the Body Worlds exhibit does.

Val said...

Have to agree with you Shirley. I think it's repulsive! Ugh!

Nora and James McDowell said...

I don't think these works are meant to be viewed in the living room.
They are amazing in a creepy way.
Nora

Webfrau said...

That's so "sad" it's funny!! But it's not art.

Purple Missus said...

These look even more gross 'in the flesh' so to speak. If ever you come to London put the Saatchi gallery on your agenda - they have pieces of his and some of the other most bizarre pieces of 'art' around.
The one that always gets me is Tracy Emins' 'My Bed'. Maybe I am thick, but I cannot for the life of me see what is artistic about that one :) Thats also at the Saatchi gallery.
Heres a link:
http://www.saatchi-gallery.co.uk/artists/artpages/tracey_emin_my_bed.htm

Rhubarb Whine said...

These are REAL cow parts then? eeeew!

Anonymous said...

I personally find it very challenging not to question the integrity of Emins, Hirst et al. I really do. They make such extraordinary amounts of money producing art the sincerity of which it is impossible to judge.

If the purpose of art is to stir and challenge ones thinking, then Damien Hirst is very successful. If the purpose is to create beauty, then his success is dubious. I guess it comes down to what you believe art's purpose to be.

sharon young said...

Couldn't agree more!

Suzi-k said...

i'm with you on this one... sick is the word, art isn't! and who in their right mind would pay $300million for 20 pickled half cows? Sheeesh, apart from anything else, pretty expensive beef!