Mixed reviews dominate the¬†Damien Hirst¬†interpretation of the union jack flag that filled the entire floor of the Olympic Stadium. Whilst many have lauded the Hirst ‘spin’ on the iconic graphic, many more are loathe to applaud what is considered to be a cheap stunt, suggesting the artist will pocket a fortune (either directly or indirectly) when the work enters the secondary art market. ¬†Others raise the question – what was Hirst’s fee to reproduce his existing work ‘Beautiful Union Jack Celebratory Patriotic Olympic Explosion in an Electric Storm’ ?
In the words of the late, great Robert Hughes, art critic for TIME Magazine who said of Hirst,¬†“Isn’t it a miracle what so much money, and so little ability can produce?!”
From if it’s hip blog:
In recognition of his central role to British art, a specially commissioned work by Hirst was included as part of the Closing Ceremony of the 2012 Olympic Games. The colossal 130 meter wide red, white and blue spin painting covered the entirety of the Stadium floor and was filled with the celebrating Olympic athletes as they entered the arena. It is the largest reproduction of a Hirst piece ever produced.
The work, entitled ‘Beautiful Union Jack Celebratory Patriotic Olympic Explosion in an Electric Storm Painting’ (2012), was described by the Olympic committee as epitomising, “the dynamic, anarchic energy of British Pop Art.” It forms part of Hirst’s iconic series of spin paintings dating from the early 90s. Originally inspired by spin stalls at school fêtes, Hirst describes the paintings as a, “massive explosion of energy, full of life, colour and optimism”.
Under Artistic Director Kim Gavin, the Closing Ceremony ‚Äì entitled ‚ÄòA Symphony of British Music‚Äô ‚Äì was a celebration both of the achievements of athletes at the London 2012 Olympic Games, and the significance of Britain‚Äôs contribution to the international art and music scene over the last 50 years. Since Hirst first came to public attention in 1988, when he conceived and curated ‚ÄòFreeze‚Äô, an exhibition in a disused London warehouse of his own work and that of his contemporaries, he has become widely recognised as one of the most influential and renowned artists of his generation. Hirst’s contribution is acknowledged by Tate Modern’s staging of the largest survey of his work to date in the UK as part of the 2012 Cultural Olympics.
The comment stream in the hugely circulating blog designboom sum up responses:
… One Pound Design =Dcrows ¬† 08.13.12
Since the union jack, designed in the 17th century, is red, white and blue, in what way might Damien Hirst, whose design is – er, red, white and blue – be deemed to have ‘re-designed’ it ?no one said he redesigned it. its an interpretation ofSurely the perplexed person from Tunbridge Wells can see from the images how the traditional flag has been reinterpreted by the artist?once again hurst shows the world Britains total lack of visual senseability . A truly useless artist stating the bl——–g obvious and making a load of cash in the process. Only Britain would hold this muppet up as a great artist whilst real talent and beauty is left on the walls of the creators unseen.
truly an idiot of our time, j hope he designs the queens head stone ,that would be appropriateI like the part where it says his “signature style” is spin art. David seems to know what I am trying to say… He is not a great artist
Here’s an up-close lok at Damien Hirst’s spin flag formally titled ‚ÄòBeautiful Union Jack Celebratory Patriotic Olympic Explosion in an Electric Storm Painting‚Äô (2012) for your readers.http://ifitshipitshere.blogspot.com/2012/08/an-up-close-look-at-damien-hirsts-spin.html
