The Joy of What we Do #42 Frieze 2021

The exhibition LG x Damien Hirst: A History of Paintings, featured keyworks from Hirst’s Kaleidoscope and Spin series alongside digital reproductions and NFTs.  These images were shown on sleek elegant OLED TV screens, products developed and made by LG. The picture quality was phenomenal with a high gradient handling, a rich colour volume, and self-lit technology, having an instant appeal. Traditionally, our eyes survey paintings for textures, gestures, details, patterns, techniques and meaning,  whereas in this instance we gaze at the screen, observing constantly moving reproductions, zooming in and out, providing a different kind of experience. These simulations of Hirst’s works come across like a form of video art, delivering an additional method for the presentation of his paintings. 

At the fair the OLED TV products were also utilised to present Hirst’s first NFT series Currency comprising 10,000 NFTs. The LG products will most certainly be of interest to collectors who are keen to share their NFTs in a domestic or corporate environment, bringing their blockchain assets into the real world. However, I was unable to identify which of the displayed images were digital reproductions or NFTs. 

Courtesy and ©Damien Hirst, LG and Renée Pfister Art &  Gallery Consultancy, 2021.

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