Abbey date for Hirst's dissected cow
A DISSECTED cow and her calf preserved by controversial artist Damien Hirst are set to go on show at a Westcountry abbey.
The work, by arguably the most talked-about artist in Britain, will be the main attraction at Torre Abbey in Torquay this summer.
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Artist Damien Hirst with Mother and Child Divided, which won the Turner Prize in 1995
Mother and Child Divided weighs 6.5 tonnes and comprises a cow and a calf, each cut in half and preserved in a pair of glass-walled tanks in a formaldehyde solution.
It was created for exhibition at the 1993 Venice Biennale and was the focal point of the 1995 Turner Prize at Tate Britain, the year Hirst won the prize. This year, Torbay Council is borrowing the work from the Tate for an exhibition at the Spanish Barn, Torre Abbey, during July and August.
It follows from the success of Antony Gormley's Field For The British Isles installation last year.
Torbay councillor Dave Butt said: "It is a controversial piece of art which will stir debate and inspire visitors and local communities.
"Damien Hirst is such a well-known artist and this is a fantastic opportunity not just for Torre Abbey, but the whole of the Bay. It will help boost the council's long-term plan to be an exciting space for contemporary art and a leading light among seaside cultural hot spots."
Hirst, who lives in North Devon and has a restaurant in Ilfracombe, has said: "The work should attract you and repel you at the same time... cows are the most slaughtered animals ever... I see them as death objects.
"Walking food... What's sad is that if you look at my cows cut up in formaldehyde, they have more personality than any cows walking about in fields."
6 Comments
by Theo H, Lifton
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 7:36PM
“I am worried about the money for the Tate St Ives extension. Like it or loath it, Tate St Ives draws a lot of people to the area who then spend in cafes and B&Bs and whatever. The Tate St Ives does very well in its very small space, but has to close during changeovers. And if the Tate St Ives is closed, some well heeled punters will go elsewhere.
Editor?”
by max power, st austell
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 1:11PM
“Did I say that I didn't read the blurb Mr 'dripping with sarcasm' Blince?
I'm glad we have different views as I'd hate to share your opinion.”
by henry blince, devon
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 9:59AM
“Yes, you're a Philistine. And a fool for criticising something without taking the trouble to learn anything about it.”
by max power, st austell
Tuesday, March 23 2010, 9:56AM
“Talentless, souless, empty, meaningless, pretentious, attention seeking, self indulgent contemporary 'art' for a souless etc. contemporary age.”
by max power, st austell
Monday, March 22 2010, 12:52PM
“I must be a Philistine.
I visited the Tate, I think the theme must have been playschool art. I haven't laughed so much for ages, it was a good tonic. Hirst's pretentious 'art' is at home there. If your sides aren't split, round it off with a visit to Barbara Hepworth's gaff.
Great fun.”
by Theo H, Lifton
Monday, March 22 2010, 10:31AM
“Certainly good to see a noted artist here in the Westcountry.
Even if Hirst is actually a bit 2001 and not 2010.
I feel starved of cutting edge art here.
Tate St Ives does it's best - and well - in a very small space (and I welcome the planned extension) and recently had a Hirst (a complete Hirst calf with golden hooves in formaldehyde). Nevertheless, I feel Tate St Ives has to keep in mind visitors and have fairly accessible work.
I do hope the money for the Tate St Ives extension is protected from the cuts to come.”