The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, 1991
The first time I saw this sculpture, ‘The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living’ by Damien Hirst, I thought it was aesthetically interesting and belonged in a museum…for the sciences. I think a lot of people would agree based on an honorific definition of art it falls short. It has no art historical context and while it took precise technique(I assume) for the processes required for such a piece it doesn’t feel like well done art and even feels like kitsch early on.
However as the title suggests it does have meaning and more so a purpose to fulfill in service of the viewer or participant. ‘The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living’, gives a big hint to the purpose, ill explain. If you could imagine being in the open ocean and you see the image on the right, a 13 foot tiger shark with its mouth wide open gliding toward you, what would you do? Very simple, die. This is where I believe the piece enters the realm of ART, because it can create a similar feeling of terror or fear among most viewers. This sculpture definitely does its job which was specifically curated by the artist. Done so in a way that allows the viewer to encapsulate themselves in a day dream of what they think being eaten by a shark might be like, therefore being a pathway to the doors of death, a very common theme throughout human history and art history. So maybe it does fit the honorific version.
Work Cited
Images: Photographed by Prudence Cuming Associates © Damien Hirst and Science Ltd. All rights reserved, DACS 2012.
General information on the artwork: http://www.damienhirst.com/the-physical-impossibility-of