Tate Modern- Damien Hirst (2012)

I have to state that Damien Hirst is not an artist that i would call 'one of my favourites' however i knew that his exhibition in the Tate also during the summer, would present some interesting factors. It had been said that Damien Hirst's last exhibition 'freeze' was held a shocking 20 years ago and therefore it appeared to be intriguing what new inventions Damien had since created. From diamond incrusted Skulls to, stuffed animals Damien definitely came back with a statement. One that shocked the nation and media, ' The physical impossibility of death in the mind of someone living (1991)' Damien presents a shark in a huge tank of formaldehyde. It was quite an unusual, yet fascinating experience, the complete opposite of what in reality and if living the shark could create, fear, threat and danger. In fact this experience enhanced a non threatening and non fearful sense of emotion. I am not sure if i personally would call this 'shark' piece a work of Art? Although it appears to highlight a sense of life and death, and was highly interesting in showing the detail and contours of a motionless and life threatening species. The second piece that was most eye catching was a 18th century cast of of a human skull incrusted with it is said 8,601 real diamonds. This piece carries a latin quote, 'Memento Mori' which translates as 'Remember your mortality' this had a correlation to a wide variety of similar pieces to remind people of their mortality. Stunning as it seems in reality, the moral of the piece is to highlight victory over decay, whilst also representing a much relentless element to the prospect of life and death.