Damien Hirst’s 2007 sculpture, For the Love of God, is a human skull encrusted with some 8000 plus flawless diamonds and cast in platinum, and a pear shaped pink diamonds on the center of the forehead
The skull is based on the real skull that is bought in a shop in Islington, which is thought to be a 1700~1800 European, the diamonds are said to be ethically sourced
The theme of Hirst’s work is about the life and death, an object that addresses the transience of human existence. ‘The skull is out of this world, celestial almost’. ‘It proclaims victory over decay. At the same time’, Fuchs continues, ‘it represents death as something infinitely more relentless. Compared to the tearful sadness of a vanitas scene, the diamond skull is glory itself.' (whitecube.com)
Why diamonds? Hirst thought that while doing with diamonds is quite expensive, and its carry some kind of heavy burden in financial terms and security around the work, which also link to death itself, which is a heavy burden. Thus he make the sculpture to have a laugh about the death (NYtimes.com)
The work itself have been to controversial since it’s expedition, as some have call it a expensive stunts, vacuous nonsense. While others think
"As a piece of workmanship it is very good, but it is just window dressing. As art it is extremely dull." (Dailymail.co.uk)
I think the work is in the realm of bizarre work, but I do agree the about the aspect of death, as in heavy burden. As we only have 1 life, so it is quite precious as there are no 2n chances, once you died you stay dead, zip, nothing. Your wealth and worth is not going with you after you dead. And because of diamonds are pricy, which the security must be tight to prevent it from being stolen, thus adding burdens to security guard. Another thing with diamonds and their value in relation to human life, as a life is pretty much priceless, the high amount of value for Love of God cannot emphasis more than enough.
Though one thing I do not agree on making it as investment for growing money, that is like an investment, that should leave to the financial market and brokers where you might get better returns and faster. An art should be bought by people who appreciate the art for its worth.
Reference:
Hirst unveils £50m diamond skull
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/6712015.stm>
Hoxton Square and Mason's Yard, Damien Hirst: Beyond Belief
http://www.whitecube.com/exhibitions/beyond_belief/
WILLIAM SHAW, The Iceman Cometh
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/03/magazine/03Style-skull-t.html
ARTHUR MARTIN, Damien Hirst unveils his jewels in the crown, a £50m diamond-studded skull
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-459204/Damien-Hirst-unveils-jewels-crown-50m-diamond-studded-skull.html
