Here are some of the world’s great cities like you’ve never seen them before: London, New York, Rome, Moscow, Beijing, Leeds… Fair enough, although Leeds is a top city it’s not usually listed in such illustrious company, but it’s included in this collection of new works from Damien Hirst by virtue of it being the artist’s hometown. All the locations Hirst has chosen for the Black Scalpel Cityscapes series have some significance to him, whether it be for personal reasons or as centres of economic, political or religious importance.
As the collection’s title partially explains, the unusual bird’s-eye views are composed of scalpels and other surgical implements and metallic accessories laid on a black background. These aerial views connect with the viewer through their likeness to digital satellite mapping, and at the same time reminding us of bombing mission footage – the scalpel is a play on the concept of “surgical strikes” designed to minimise collateral damage in remote warfare. The buildings’ contrast with the background and their jagged quality gives them the appearance of a grave of shattered bones, drawing attention to the devastation wrought by conflict, and the use of blades – a recurring motif in Hirst’s work since the early ’90s – speaks to our near-universal fear of the surgeon’s knife. White Cube São Paulo is the venue, with the collection available to view until 31 January.
Damien Hirst
London (Detail), 2014
Scalpel blades, skin graft blades, razor blades, zips, stitching needles,
tattoo needles, pins, fish hooks, safety pins and gloss paint on canvas
72 x 108 in. (182.9 x 274.3 cm)
© Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2014
Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd
Courtesy White Cube
Damien Hirst
Leeds, 2014
Scalpel blades, skin graft blades, zips, fish hooks and gloss paint on canvas
72 x 108 in. (182.9 x 274.3 cm)
© Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2014
Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd
Courtesy White Cube
Damien Hirst
Rio (Detail), 2014
Scalpel blades, skin graft blades, zips, stitching needles, aluminium filings, pins,
stainless steel studs, fish hooks, steel wire cutting spool and gloss paint on canvas
78 1/16 x 113 3/8 in. (198.3 x 288 cm)
© Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2014
Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd
Courtesy White Cube
Damien Hirst
London, 2014
Scalpel blades, skin graft blades, razor blades, zips, stitching needles,
tattoo needles, pins, fish hooks, safety pins and gloss paint on canvas
72 x 108 in. (182.9 x 274.3 cm)
© Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2014
Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd
Courtesy White Cube
Damien Hirst
London (Detail), 2014
Scalpel blades, skin graft blades, razor blades, zips, stitching needles,
tattoo needles, pins, fish hooks, safety pins and gloss paint on canvas
72 x 108 in. (182.9 x 274.3 cm)
© Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2014
Photo: Prudence Cuming Associates Ltd
Courtesy White Cube
