'Gone But Not Forgotten' is a golden woolly mammoth skeleton fabricated by English artist Damien Hirst. The three-meter tall skeleton is part of Hirst's 'Natural History' series, a long-running series of works inspired by the life forms that make up the earth's natural history.
The woolly mammoth skeleton is encased in a massive steel and glass vitrine. Hirst wanted to address and celebrate the extinct beast's mythical status, and so decided to gild the skeleton and place it in a gigantic gold tank. This depiction plays with the ideas of science, history and mythology that make up human's perception of the woolly mammoth.
By creating a hopeful and beautiful depiction of the woolly mammoth rather than a sad one, Hirst conveys that the woolly mammoth is quite literally 'gone but not forgotten.'
Hirst donated the piece to aid the work of amfAR, The Foundation for Aids Research. Photo Credits: designboom, damienhirst
Gilded Mammoth Skeletons
'Gone But Not Forgotten' Consists of a Golden Woolly Mammoth Skeleton
Trend Themes
1. Mythical Creatures Art - Opportunity for artists to create beautiful depictions of extinct creatures and play with science, history, and mythology.
2. Gilded Art - Opportunity for artists to experiment with gilding as a medium to create unique and valuable works of art.
3. Preserving Natural History - Opportunity for artists to draw attention to extinct creatures and the importance of preserving natural history through their artwork.
Industry Implications
1. Art Industry - Opportunity for art galleries, museums, and collectors to invest in and showcase unique and valuable gilded works of art.
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3. Luxury Goods Industry - Opportunity for luxury brands to create high-end, gilded products and accessories inspired by mythical creatures and natural history.