Corpus Maximus

by Mark Wiener

   
  Damien Hirst is a prominent and controversial artist. The reasons for this are:

  1. His work tends to be large and grotesque.
  2. His work is much sought-after and seen in many places by many people who…
  3. …either love it or hate it.
   
  The work is SO large, so in your face with horrifying gruesome detail, that it leaves an impression that perhaps there is no message in this fearsome (dare one say "ugly?") imagery, or if there is one, it is transcended by the shock value, or even that Hirst may be the PT Barnum of the art world, and all is done for effect.
   
  That said, I highly recommend the exhibition aptly named “Corpus” at Gagosian Gallery on Madison Avenue, featuring more than 200 of Hirst’s drawings from 1981-2006. This superb and comprehensive presentation, so extensive that even the hallways of the gallery are hung with work, must be seen regardless of whether one is an admirer or detractor of this artist, or simply a lover of art who remains neutral.
   
  Personally, I find the content of the work of Damien Hirst to be extremely repellent, and the very sight of it disturbs me. This visit to Gagosian Gallery, while enlightening, has done nothing to change this personal conviction. However, the show itself is a triumph of curatorial craft and intelligence which presents a rare opportunity explore the process of a contemporary artist on his way to the history books, a comprehensive foundation for those on both sides of the fence who wish to re-examine and reconsider the body of work of Damien Hirst.
   
  “Corpus” will be on view at 980 Madison Avenue through October 28th.