Damien Hirst: the Tranquility of Solitude

Alecia Nadzan #192634 Image Analasys Lichty ­ MTD Damien Hirst: The Tranquility Of Solitude (for George Dyer) The Tranquility Of Solitude is a three dimensional work of art by English contemporary artist Damien Hirst, debuted in 2006 at the Gagosian Gallery in London. Hirst uses dead animals in his “fine­art,” something that once shocked the art world. Is this “artwork” an ostensible farce operating on shock­value alone? Or, could a lasting meaning to be derived from the artists creation make a memorable impact on the art world for years to come? Since the early 90’s, Hirst has been using shock­value as his medium. An appalled yet captivated audience had significant reactions to his creations, initially so controversial that it disrupted the institution of art and brought Damien into the global spotlight. Hirst’s fame continues today, known by even casual art viewers. There exists a cultural concern about the mistreatment of the animals that Hirst’s infamy is so contingent upon. Even though part of our culture is opposed to the treatment of the animals in Hirst’s artwork, they serve as a very effective signifier of the artists agenda. The cruelty of death so evident in this piece is shoved in your face and its not always a pretty sight to behold. The Tranquility Of Solitude consists of three respective parts which are intended to be displayed side by side, forming an unconventional triptych. Three identically sized (89.8x67.8x38.4”) vitrines are constructed of glass and painted steel, and filled with a fluid of light­aquamarine blue dyed formaldehyde, preserving the objects and specimens inside for the rest of eternity. The objects inside are real­life as opposed to being hand made by the artists and have been thoughtfully selected to include the corpses of flayed grey­fleshed sheep, toilets, sinks, light fixtures, tiles, alcohol, a hypodermic syringe and other drug paraphernalia. When read from left to right, the objects in the first vitrine have been arranged