I like the thinly veiled attempt to justify the price tag of the Happy Head (£25k):

'The technique applied is simple, but the outcome implies complex ideas about morality and the history of mankind, and although these works deny a specific anthropological or historical reading, the results are compelling, being celebratory and seductive, as well as ominous and haunting.'

Really? Does that blow painted plastic mass produced skull do ALL of that....or just make you think wtf?

In comparison to his "for the love of god" print also at 10K also in a edition of 250, seems quite reasonable....

well you get more for you money...

Do you reckon that includes delivery....

I agree these prices are silly, but I think these crosses are beautiful:



TO ANY PHOTOGRAPHERS OUT THERE: If you can somehow knock up an image like this, I would pay for you to send me a high res image on a CD. I would love one of these but aint got the monies ;D

Who is the mug though - Hirst for producing this stuff or the people who buy it??

Duchamp was definitely taking the p*ss, but his Fountain broke boundaries and effectively paved the way for the conceptual art movement. It's position as one of the most influential pieces of modern art is fairly easy to defend. The context of the work's creation is all important in assessing its relevance. In its time, the Fountain was a true challenge to the art establishment.

I'm a big fan of Hirst. Not only is he a shrewd marketer, as GD has pointed out, but he has created works which have taken Contemporary art to a different plain. I'm by no means a fan of every piece he's created (in fact a lot of it is pretty weak), but certain Hirst pieces are just mind blowing. "Mother and Child Divided", for example.

Furthermore, he's done one hell of a lot for the contemporary British art scene. I truly believe that without Hirst's support, Banksy wouldn't be where he is today. Question whether that's a good or a bad thing?

Don't get me wrong I think Hirst is a genius. His gallery pieces are quite stunning. His love of art and collecting also appeals to me.

But many of his multiples, IMHO, leave an awful lot to be desired.

Perhaps each piece needs to be taken on its own merit, everyone has their own views on each one.

I guess if you like it and can afford, then buy.
Forums are there as debating corners for t'internet maybe, like Hyde Park Corner.

I may think its a rip-off, others a work of thought and beauty, the further you get from mainstream, the wider the views get.

Perhaps the joke is someone seeing something of value in a piece, more than the artist themselves.

But its good we don't all agree. Nice bounces from you guys as well, good thread.

Clicked on the link - if you buy the plates at 20 THOUSAND DOLLARS!!! - they add $21.95 p & p....

That's funny...

Thought I'd give you guys the heads up that the Tate Modern just put the Hirst exhibition plates online. A much more affordable alternative than the £10,500 superstition box set from Other Criteria especially if you only want one plate. (Same dimensions even)

At last count there were around 30 butterfly plates and 12 spin plates left if they haven't already sold out.


shop.tate.org.uk/damien-hirst/i-am-become-death-plate/invt/12602/

shop.tate.org.uk/damien-hirst/beautiful-amore-plate/invt/12601/

Thanks for the heads up. The Mrs gave the butterflies (but not the spin) the seal of approval for the welsh dresser so snagged one. Looks great!

Grabbed one too.. Thanks for the heads up

Thanks for the heads up, no idea how limited these are or if at all, but decided to take the plunge on a couple of the butterfly plates. Not sure what I'll do with them though, maybe get some of those dodgy plate hangers

Thanks, look like i may of bagged the last one too, glad I'm not down the pub now!

Got a death plate before it sold out, thanks for the heads up amigo!