Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 460,503 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,097 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,097 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,210 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 460,503 cutting edge ideas.

Shocking Ironic Art Installations

Is Eugenio Merino's Damien Hirst Piece Offensive or Artist

— February 19, 2009 — Art & Design
The heat is on in the art world! Eugénio Merino’s shocking piece titled ‘For the Love of Gold’ depicts Damien Hirst encased in a white display cube--similar to the ones he uses--committing suicide with a gunshot to the temple.

The Damien Hirst effigy wears a tee shirt printed with the famous $100 million diamond skull that Hirst titled ‘For the Love of God.’ The art installation is meant to be ironic--but is it offensive?

What strikes the most is the hyper-realism in Merino’s Damien Hirst sculpture, as genuine human hair, realistic-looking blood and glass eyes have been incorporated into its design. The spooky sculpture was exhibited at the ARCO 2009 Madrid Art Fair.

For Merino, the piece reflects all that is left for Hirst to do in order to surpass his master accomplishment of having the most expensive work of art of all time--kill himself, so that his works become even more valuable.

The critic also refers to the individualist character of Hirst, when he organized an auction to sell his pieces. This was a clear subversion of art market order, underlining his supreme power over art galleries.

Eugénio Merino’s piece was said to be bought on the opening day by a Florida collector. The price? $33,500 USD.
Trend Themes
1. Hyper-realistic Art Installations - The hyper-realism in Eugenio Merino's Damien Hirst sculpture opens up opportunities for artists to create shocking and thought-provoking pieces.
2. Subversive Art Market Strategies - The subversion of art market order by artists like Damien Hirst presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the way art is bought, sold, and valued.
3. Controversial Art Depicting Famous Figures - The use of controversial art installations like Eugenio Merino's depiction of Damien Hirst highlights the potential for artists to make social and political statements through their work.
Industry Implications
1. Art Exhibition and Galleries - Art exhibition and galleries can embrace hyper-realistic art installations to attract visitors and create immersive experiences.
2. Art Market and Auctions - The subversive strategies employed by artists like Damien Hirst open up opportunities for innovation in the art market and auction industry.
3. Contemporary Art Collecting - Contemporary art collectors can explore controversial art depicting famous figures to add unique and thought-provoking pieces to their collections.
4.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness