Damien Hirst’s ‘drugged’ Christmas tree stirs up controversy
(Instagram/damienhirst)
At first glance, this looks like your average Christmas tree; lights, ornaments and a star. But look a little closer and you’ll notice that in place of the traditional snowflake and Santa decorations are oversized pills and syringes.
(Instagram/damienhirst)
This is Christmas by Damien Hirst and it’s got more than a few people scratching their heads in confusion.
thedailybeast: Erm what? A Christmas tree decorated with syringes and pill bottles https://t.co/ARWiEuDTUd pic.twitter.com/MZeId31UZm
— Slantpoint® Now (@slantpointnow)
This has to be the most disgusting for of art. Call it whatever you want but there is no way this is art let… https://t.co/RalMvv01Zu
— Pedro E F Campos (@pedroski)
Offended by a tree…. https://t.co/UXjadopodi
— badassday (@badassday)
Controversy isn’t exactly a new thing for the British artist. His most famous work to date is a series that included a preserved cow and a shark. This also isn’t the first time he’s worked with medical supplies. Back in 2012, he collaborated with the Olsen twins on a $55,000 bag for The Row, which was covered in prescription meds.
(photo: Just One Eye)
In an Instagram post, Hirst described the tree as a symbol of hope, particularly in the power of science and medicine.
“The Christmas tree is a celebration of togetherness, a joyful symbol of hope and love. For the decorations, I wanted to reference some of the amazing things that give us hope in the world today.”
While the medical reference is more than evident, Hirst does take Christmas traditions into account. Giant pills are put together to resemble snowmen while garlands of sausage links are meant to reflect Christmas as being a time of plenty.
The tree will be on display in front of the Connaught Hotel in London’s Mayfair neighbourhood for the duration of the holidays.
What do you think of the Hirst Christmas tree? Let us know by tweeting to @YahooStyleCA.
