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18th Century Skull Covered in Diamonds
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Author:  gingerkid [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:33 pm ]
Post subject:  18th Century Skull Covered in Diamonds

here's a piece of "art" by britian damien hirst. the diamond skull is a replica/casting of a skull hirst purchased from a taxidermist. the original was from an 18th century (living between 1720 to 1810), 30-year-old European man.

the skull is covered in platinum plates and has individually set 8,061 flawless diamonds, with a pear-shaped pink diamond, "the skull star diamond," weighing 52.40ct which sits on the center of the skull's forehead.

Image
plans for the diamond skull
Image
before make-over
Image
after make-over

the making of the diamond skull:
http://www.supertouchart.com/2007/07/21 ... ond-skull/

video of the skull:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25f5k ... skull_news

from anthropology.net with pictures of other skulls and those famous jeweled chompers which ROM shared with us on the forum:

http://anthropology.net/2007/06/01/dami ... chaeology/

this artist has some pretty scary and hideous-just my opinion-work. he's known for "art?" pieces of animals in formaldehyde. it is uncertain from what i have read whether hirst sold the diamond skull or if he has it in his possession still-sitting on his fireplace mantle.

Author:  Barbara O. Ellis [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:51 pm ]
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Author:  squeaky [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 4:51 pm ]
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I guess to each his own.....but.....YUCK! ICK! PHITOOEY! It sure wouldn't have a place on MY mantle (if I had one...)

Author:  gingerkid [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:03 pm ]
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:lol: i agree with both of u!!

i don't think that's an actual human skull, but a replica/casting of the skull from the 18th century european 30-year-old man.

i was amazed that he spent a fortune on the diamonds and platinum casting for the replica. and i do not think he has sold the skull either.

what will make you hurtle grits is observing his other so-called "art work." animals displayed inside tanks in formaldehyde is not what i consider "art." :wink:

Author:  Barbara O. Ellis [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:05 pm ]
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Author:  Catta [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:10 pm ]
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*peeks out from hiding*

I love it!

*ducks*

Author:  gingerkid [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:13 pm ]
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Morning Dove wrote:
I'll bet your tax dollars are paying for it, though :x

Oops! Sorry for the political innuendo ... it just slipped out :oops: 8)


i think this guy, damien hirst, lives in Britain. :wink:

Author:  Barbara O. Ellis [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:16 pm ]
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Author:  gem-n00b [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:41 pm ]
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Didn't we have a thread on this before... :?:

Author:  gingerkid [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 5:44 pm ]
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it may have been on the forum before, not sure where though, gem-n00b, i don't recall seeing it

i do remember seeing the teeth covered with jewels from a previous posting from ROM-which are shown on anthropology.net website with this post

Author:  valeria102 [ Thu Aug 20, 2009 11:01 pm ]
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Morning Dove wrote:
Someone else's taxes are probably paying for it!


Not quite...

Author:  gingerkid [ Fri Aug 21, 2009 7:09 am ]
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:lol: i read from wikipedia and other news articles that alot of people are disputing the claim that hirst actually sold the skull of bling.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... l-50m.html

and on wikipedia under "disputed sale:"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/For_the_Love_of_God

Author:  Barbara O. Ellis [ Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:00 am ]
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Author:  Barbra Voltaire, FGG [ Fri Aug 21, 2009 11:38 am ]
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Morning Dove wrote:
This is why the term "art" is used. It seems there are no longer any great painters, sculptors, musicians, etc. ... they are "artists" because most can't hold a candle next to the true geniuses of ages past :x


Just my humble opinion ... yours may vary 8)


I must emphatically disagree.
Styles change, my friend, along with the benefactors who are financing artistic projects.
Perhaps some current art trends are not "your style" but I believe we have some of the greatest creative minds ever alive in the world today. Mediums evolve and inspirations evolve.
Don't forget that many we currently regard as geniuses of their era, were renegades of their time.

Author:  Barbara O. Ellis [ Fri Aug 21, 2009 3:29 pm ]
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