The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living-1992

Damien Hirst
The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living
1992

Art created in 1992 by Hirst commissioned by Charles Saatchi. The art consists of a real 14 foot tiger shark, which hirst bought in Australia. The shark is suspended in a solution of 5% formaldehyde in a glass case. The piece of art is currently on display at Metropolitan Museuem of Art in New York City.

Like many of other of Hirst's works this came under criticism from people such as, Eddie Saunders who is accusing Hirst of plagiarism. But even though there was much criticism, it was also met with praise from some such as, Roberta Smith from the New York Time saying, "It’s one thing to discuss The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living in a forum such as this, but to stand before it and gaze into that murky cube while observing a dead shark in such a manner in is quite an artistic experience, objectively and subjectively. One cannot simply observe this work and not silently wonder to themselves what it would be like to be in the same position as the shark. It has an unbelievably hypnotic and widely misunderstood quality (which I intend to get into)."

In 2006 because the original shark was poorly preserved and the addition of bleach to the solution the shark began to decay, Hirst, commissioned by Steven Cohen, who was also purchasing the work from Saatchi, had another mammoth tiger shark caught of the coast of Queensland, and replaced the original shark with the new shark. This was also met by some criticism as can be seen by a quote from Hirst himself, "It's a big dilemma. Artists and conservators have different opinions about what's important: the original artwork or the original intention. I come from a conceptual art background, so I think it should be the intention. It's the same piece. But the jury will be out for a long time to come."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Physical_Impossibility_of_Death_in_the_Mind_of_Someone_Living
http://wintermute529.wordpress.com/2009/11/11/in-defense-of-damien-hirsts-the-physical-impossibility-of-death-in-the-mind-of-someone-living/
http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601115&sid=al4y8JCGHR.k&refer=muse
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2403/2253203261_c420fb44b5.jpg
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