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Diamond Encrusted Skull Will Be Most Expensive Work Of Art
British artist and sculptor, Damien Hirst is no stranger to extreme forms of artistic expression. Compared with the epic works that have made his name - the shark in formaldehyde, the bisected cow - Damien Hirst's work in progress is a small, delicate object: a life-size human skull.
This skull will be cast in platinum and encased entirely in diamonds - some 8,500 in all.
It will be the most expensive work of art ever created, costing between £8m and £10m.
Unveiling his latest work exclusively to The Observer, Hirst said: 'We have been buying diamonds slowly and have worked out that it will take about eight and half thousand to completely cover the surface of the skull.'
The Skull Beneath the Skin
Silkscreen with diamond dust on Somerset satin 410gsm
100 x 66.7cm, 2005
Edition of 155 by Damien Hirst
The skull above is a previous effort by Damien Hirst. The new diamond skull will by far eclipse this work in terms of effort, cost, and value.
Hirst, who was in London for meetings with his partners in this venture , Bond Street jewellers Bentley & Skinner, added: 'The biggest expense will be the 50-carat beauty that will sit on the forehead. That one alone will cost in the region of £3m to £5m. It is certainly the biggest single undertaking by a jeweller since the Crown jewels'.
Hirst, 40, who was recently ranked as the most powerful individual in the contemporary art world by Art Review magazine, and is reported to be worth £100m.
Here is Hirst in his own words:
"This will be a lot less stressful than putting a bloody great shark in a tank of formaldehyde'".
I just want to celebrate life by saying to hell with death. What better way of saying that than by taking the ultimate symbol of death and covering it in the ultimate symbol of luxury, desire and decadence? The only part of the original skull that will remain will be the teeth. You need that grotesque element for it to work as a piece of art. God is in the details and all that.'
I've always adhered to the principle that the simplest ideas are the best, and this will be the ultimate two fingers up to death. I want people to see it and be astounded. I want them to gasp.
If it's vulgar, I'll put it on a chain and hang it round my neck - or I'll stick it on the mantelpiece."
The diamond-encrusted skull, entitled 'For the Love of God', is projected to fetch up to £50m.
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Comments
This is disgusting, and evil- Its two fingers up to God, to take his creation Man; and use it only for your desire and decadence. When it comes to the end of your journey remember how feeble your respect for God is, and rely on your greed for your inspiration as you are doing in life. This is Art because you used a humans teeth for shock?! Art in the same way the Nazi photographed mounds their victims and thought it was art- a form of decadence for them. This further states the tone of civilization right now, life simpled to desires and decadence so whatever goes. Take a human and do as you like, unfortunately people today feel the same about living humans too. We came to far as civilization, (expanding all aspects of our knowledge) to be making conscious regression. The only people taking initiative to make worldwide statements are the people promoting eternal nothingness.AB10
Posted by: AB10 on June 1, 2007 9:26 PM
This is a response to the last comment left. First of all AB10, who goes around judging you and your lack of creativity? Probably god. It's art, and we do much more disgusting things to the human when it's alive, so using it's vessel as a medium should really be no concern of yours. After all, how many times a week do you indulge in McDonald's, or similar "human food" items? Don't you think the disgusting crap you attempt to fuel your body with is a little more grotesque? It's created and processed mostly by man, diamonds & bone are nature's creations & being bound by man. Human disease, which probably killed that diamond glazed skull anyway, is disgusting. SELF CREATED, human disease! God doesn't give you disease, does he? It makes no sense how one can worship this god figure and put all of life's weight upon him for all of the good and the bad. Take responsibility for yourself for once, or is it too difficult. You do not have to approve of this person's taste for art, but did it ever occur to you that maybe, just maybe, he finds the human body as priceless as a rare diamond and is symbolizing that with his creativity? You probably didn't because you're most likely a simple minded follower who believes only you do right. Personally, sure, not a sculpture I'd want, I don't really like diamonds, but I always thought diamond coated teeth would be nice....no more cavities! I think it's unique, therefore, absolutely beautiful! Great work!
Posted by: non-cult-like god worshiper on June 2, 2007 9:26 AM
in reply to the first comment...
HAHAHAHA. f**king douche. it's art, get over your self. lol
Posted by: comic# on April 10, 2008 3:36 AM
You know these out of context, not politically correct expressions like "grammar nazi", well here's my response to the first comment: god nazi (referring to the argument-less based assumptions).
Posted by: K on May 29, 2008 7:08 PM
Why is it so fashionable for everyone to pounce on the person who expresses a reverence for "God" or a Christian ethos? Every time I see a post for an opinion that is guided by someones personal faith, it is followed by a slew of belittling comments. People like myself have turned to Atheism because of the judgmentalism of the so-called "religious," yet we [Atheist] of late seem to be quickly becoming the intolerant ones. I am believing that the religious are not the only ones who don't "practice what they preach!" (sic)
Posted by: Michael on June 10, 2008 6:35 AM
i waqnt a left side images
ref image
Posted by: arun on June 27, 2008 2:41 PM
It is unusual how as soon as something is labeled art people obligated to defend it from any criticism. They attack the perpetrator’s character instead of what they have said, make judgements about the person as if those few sentence expresses all that is them(I suppose every one is a psychologist now adays). Also, the irony behind this is; the skull imbedded with diamonds is supposed to symbolize human greed not beauty(comparing a human to an object is a common hackeneyed approach). Perhaps next time it would be more satisfying to keep in mind the question, What does this piece of art mean? Also clear thought on pixel (haha) would be appreciated.
Posted by: Allisha on August 25, 2008 4:42 PM