Last week the Brit awards unveiled its coveted design for this years prize. It was conceived by none other than the king of bland, Damien Hirst. This marks the third year in a row that a well known British artist has put their own individual stamp on the statuette. Now what do you think old Damien’s design looks like? We pondered with baited breath for months at the prospect. Alas, it is the same old art deco style sculpture in a Neo-Fascist mode, (most likely borrowed from Oscar) depicting Britannia, covered with Hirst’s trademark spot motif. These spots have adorned everything from handbags ($10,000) to guitars (£20,000) to coffee mugs at the Tate (£6.99) I guess this year’s award is now a cachet collectable, worthy of a Christie’s deeesign auction.
Last year’s award was designed by Sir Peter Blake (Sgt Pepper’s Cover) while 2011’s was fashioned by Dame Vivienne Westwood (inventor of the ‘Punk’ style) . Brits’ Chairman David Joseph said: “Damien is truly one of the most important British artists.”His reimagining of the statue will make winning a 2013 BRIT an even more special proposition.” The Hirst Brit will be presented to this year’s winners during the ceremony at London’s O2 Arena on 20 February. The awards will be hosted by James Corden, for the fourth time. The nominations for this year’s awards are as bland as the award itself. It was announced on Thursday 10 January and bafflingly includes the late Amy Winehouse??? nominated for Best Female Vocalist. I guess we can now expect nominations for Janis Joplin and Ella Fitzgerald in the future. To add to the mundaneness Coldplay, Mumford & Sons, Muse are up for best live act and best Male Vocalist, Ben Howard, Calvin Harris, Olly Murs, Richard Hawley and Plan B round off the yawn!!!
Damien Hirst was born in Bristol in 1965. He studied Fine Art at Goldsmiths, University of London from 1986 to 1989 and is considered by many to be the leading figure of the group known as “Young British Artists”. The YBAs are characterized by their entrepreneurial spirit, independence and their ability to manipulate the media.Hirst dominated the art scene in Britain during the 1990s. His early career was closely linked with the collector Charles Saatchi, however over the last few years Hirst has distanced himself from this association. Hirst’s work explores the uncertainty at the core of human experience; love, life, death, loyalty and betrayal. His work has been exhibited widely,in Britain, the USA, Australia, and Europe. Work is included in many public and private collections. He recently announced that he was leaving his lucrative partnership with the billionaire art dealer Larry Gagosian.