Saturday, September 5, 2009

Decadence

In further news via Boing Boing, this:
How much is a box of pencils worth? Fifty pence? £3.99 if the pencils have rubbers on the ends? Well, if they're part of a Damien Hirst art installation, the value is £500,000. That is what 17-year-old graffiti artist Cartrain discovered when he pilfered some pencils from Hirst's sculpture Pharmacy. And that wasn't all – he was arrested, released on bail, and is waiting to find out if he will be formally charged with causing damage to an iconic artwork worth £10m.
Y'know, I have some appreciation for the games Hirst plays in making his art, but fuck him. The theft had style:
He then created a "wanted"-style poster that read: "For the safe return of Damien Hirst's pencils I would like my artworks back that DACS and Hirst took off me in November. It's not a large demand... Hirst has until the end of this month to resolve this or on 31 July the pencils will be sharpened. He has been warned."
There's more context in the article about some feuding involving appropriation, but that only makes Hirst look worse.

Or, erm, the Tate. Rereading I don't think I see thing one about Hirst taking any action at all except putting pencils back when they're recovered. Fuck him anyway and the Tate!

Also royalties are owed the designers of the pencils.

11 comments:

ckc (not kc) said...

Police also arrested Cartrain's 49-year-old father, who they suspected of harbouring the pencils.

"If you hear someone coming, just lie perfectly still among these pens. When I whistle, you'll know the coast is clear."

herr doktor bimler said...

He was told by custody officers that... he had damaged "the concept of a public artwork...".
But you see, the very concept of a "public" ärtwork" contains the inherent contradiction that AAARGGGGHHH NOT THE TASER

ckc (not kc) said...

my pubic artwork, let me show you it

herr doktor bimler said...

The Pencilcase is closed.

Some kid said...

The Pencilcase is closed.™

herr doktor bimler said...

How come Some kid's comment is now valued at £10m?

ckc (not kc) said...

it's iconic

mikey said...

Sure, what's your number.

Hang on.

Hey kid, can I borrow a pencil?

ifthethunderdontgetya™³²®© said...

The Pencilcase is closed.™³²®©
~

fish said...

Some awesome comments:

Talentless muppet has tantrum after being out-thought by a child.

Lawnguylander said...

.tra si tfehT

Oh no, capcha is right, I've come unmung.