Damien Hirst Sets A Date For When He Will Burn Thousands Of His Artworks
Damien Hirst’s The Currency is finally getting a date for its public burning. The artworks are to be set aflame beginning September 9 at the Newport Street Gallery in London, with each having a specific time slot for the ritual.
A merge between physical and digital art, The Currency features 10,000 pieces done by Hirst in 2016, which were then given non-fungible token (NFT) counterparts. Holders had one year, ending July 27, 2022, to decide whether they preferred the original piece or the digital token. If you’re wondering which medium is winning, you can check the results here.
Whichever piece was chosen, the other would be destroyed. It has now culminated in a pyrotechnic display of literally setting art on fire and watching it burn.
The physical art pieces consist of enamel paint on pieces of handmade paper with Hirst’s signature, date, and title on the back, with the unmistakable polka dots set in primary colors. The artist looked to some of his favorite song lyrics to title the 10,000-piece collection.
The conclusion of the exhibition will take place during Frieze week in October, where whatever remains of the assemblage will be burned, and Hirst will be there to watch his work go up in flames as well.
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