Comments on: Art News Flash – Damien Hirst Arrested !!!

By: The Ugly Blog

The Ugly Blog — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 19:32:48 +0000

Has Damien Hirst committed “crimes” against the art world, in your sense of the word? Probably yes — but in my view it was largely in defense of art.

I interviewed him earlier this year in Bali, where he was finishing an intense three-month painting session. I expected him to have a bumper sticker on his laptop that said, “Suck my cock vomit.” Which he did. But I didn’t expect him to be extraordinarily down-to-earth, generous, and aware of his own position in a way that is caring rather than cynical.

Despite his image (despite what I had thought and written before the interview) I was struck by how much Damien really does care about art. The conversation completely reversed my opinion.

When you hear him talk about painting — the interview touches on everything from the suicide of his close friend to the essence of painting to five-foot wooden giraffes, with a detour on the nature of visual language using Vaseline and a cucumber — you get the sense of an exceptionally intelligent man who is trying to protect art from the art world (including himself.)

If you’re interested, it’s republished at http://www.boldizar.com/blog/nonfiction/damien-hirst-new-paintings-interview/

By: Ramiro

Ramiro — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:04:40 +0000

Great your words, is necesary to stop Mr Hirst, another who needs to go to jail is Maquiamelo.
Regards,
Ram

By: Sarah

Sarah — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:02:17 +0000

Excelente artículo, estoy de acuerdo en que Hirst es un artista mediático, lo triste es que tenga tanto éxito, como curadora ha sido realmente dificil entender los fenómenos mercadológicos del arte contemporáneo, veo con asombro como artistas como Hirst, Maquiamelo, Jeff Koons o los Hermanos Chapman logran estar en el top de ventas y en las portadas de las principales publicaciones mundiales de arte.
definitivamente el arte de oficio, el de apreciar a muerto, lo han matado los Hirsts, los maquiamelos y todos estos pseudocontemporaneos

By: artforprofits

artforprofits — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:16:08 +0000

The reason people buy that rubbish is because they either want to make a quick buck or because they believe that artworks that require mind telepathic capabilities to understand are somehow more valuable.

By: U.K. 2 H.K. 2 U.S.

U.K. 2 H.K. 2 U.S. — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:47:23 +0000

If people would just ignore (and not buy) the rubbish that requires a lengthy essay to explain what it’s about, the problem would in an ideal world simply go away.
Who’d pay absurd amounts to own the explanation in essay form, which seems more important that the supposed piece of art anyway?
I just scratch my head and move on.

By: artforprofits

artforprofits — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 23:15:51 +0000

Hi Pico, I totally agree with your statement as would many other people in the art world. Although the money side of things is important there needs to be a balance to maintain artistic integrity which will ensure a strong art market in the future.

Nicholas Forrest
artmarketblog.com

By: artforprofits

artforprofits — Wed, 10 Oct 2007 22:52:07 +0000

Dear Darin,

Thanks for your comment. I am glad that you enjoy the blog.

Nicholas Forrest
artmarketblog.com

By: pico reinoso

pico reinoso — Mon, 08 Oct 2007 15:41:17 +0000

The sad part is that today’s Art market is so blinded by the quick buck that it does not recognize the chafe from the wheat.

In such a context the Avant-Garde is replaced by the Avant garbage.

By: balm

balm — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 18:43:06 +0000

I appreciate your writing style. I enjoy the way you state things as if they were real and then write as though it is, only to find out that it is your personal opinion. I am glad someone is on the lookout to protect artist’s and art buyers. Thank you, darin

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 12:32:24 +0000

Who decides what constitutes fine art? Who decideswhat mediums are off limits? And who decides how much of a profit is too much? I have been in a few juried art exhibitions and it is clear that art judges are often strongly divided in their opinions. I’m not into death, and until now, I’ve never heard of Hirst. But when I saw his skull piece, It immediately communicated to me how deceived we are in our pursuit of wealth. Even if we could “take it with us”, we’re too..dead to use it. What a statement!Isn’t art communication after all? As to his stealing ( another’s idea (yes deplorable but)…how can you belittle Hirst for creating what you deem junk, and feel sorry for the poor sap he stole it from at the same time? I still can’t figure out how people find Picasso appealing. As for him hurting the rest of us,…how!? People always have and always will buy what they like.