Exclusive: Sculpture bought by US billionaires was made almost 20 years after date that appears in its name
Damien Hirst in front of the shark sculpture during a party at the Palms casino resort in Las Vegas in 2018.Damien Hirst in front of the shark sculpture during a party at the Palms casino resort in Las Vegas in 2018.shark preserved in formaldehyde that was purchased by American billionaires was dated to the 1990s even though it was not made until 2017.
Hirst did not directly respond to questions when asked about the tiger shark piece, The Unknown. Sources familiar with the creation of the sculpture said it was made in 2017 in preparation for its installation in the hotel.When it was first unveiled to much fanfare in 2018, the previously unseen tiger shark was described by the casino as a piece from the 1990s. The “1999” date was contained in work’s title, which is typically provided by the artist, and included in promotional material.
Hirst’s lawyers later clarified that while using the date of conception in the title was the artist’s “usual approach” for formaldehyde works, he did sometimes use the date the sculptures were made. “The dating of artworks, and particularly conceptual artworks, is not controlled by any industry standard,” they said, adding: “Artists are perfectly entitled to be inconsistent in their dating of works.
Baring, who is director of the Ingram Collection of Modern British and Contemporary Art, agreed about the convention. “There is definitely best practice, which is to give the date of physical creation of a work, or if there is a wide difference between conception and creation, to give both dates,” she said.
But it was the shark that was the crowning glory of their $620m renovation of the Palms complex. It was brought in under cover of darkness, installed in secret, and the unveiling of the sculpture in May 2018 captured the attention of the US press.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Damien Hirst formaldehyde animal works dated to 1990s were made in 2017Exclusive: Three sculptures exhibited in galleries around world were artificially aged, sources claim
Read more »
Detention releases ‘could top 170’, Hong Kong passes security law, Hirst artworks controversyThe number of detainees refusing to cooperate with the immigration system is bigger than thought; Hong Kong’s parliament grants new powers to quash dissent
Read more »
Damien Hirst’s shark changed my life. Now he has taken a chainsaw to his glorious pastIn creating sculptures backdated to the days when his art electrified the world, the former YBA has cast doubt on his youthful legacy and destroyed our belief in his creative future
Read more »
Inquest told Damien Woods died after being swept away while rock fishing near Cheynes BeachDamien Woods and his cousin were able to get back onto a flat rock after being swept out during a dangerous swell but another wave then washed them back in the water.
Read more »
AGL Energy CEO Damien Nicks on best career advice and leadership tipsDamien Nicks, the chief executive of giant electricity and gas supplier AGL Energy, answers our CEO Q&A.
Read more »
How AGL chief executive Damien Nicks went from Deloitte auditor to helming the Australian power companyBecoming a CEO was never a goal that drove Damien Nicks’ career, but when the energy company hit its lowest point, he knew it was the right time to step up.
Read more »