Damien Hirst, Warhol Factory and Levi’s launch a new collaboration at Fred Segal Man in Santa Monica this Thursday. A new pop-up shop will be open for two months. Also of note, Damien Hirst (of recent diamond scull fame) will be unveiling two two new art pieces.

Thursday, April 3rd, 2008, 6-9 pm
Fred Segal Man, 420 Broadway, Santa Monica, CA 90401
-Via NOTCOT

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Damien Hirst’s sculpture titled “For the Love of God” sold to an investment group for $100 million. Damien’s work has long centered around the theme of death and is perhaps best known for his Natural History series, which features animals preserved in formaldehyde. “For the Love of God” consists of a platinum cast of a human skull encrusted with 8,601 flawless diamonds, including a pear-shaped pink diamond located in the forehead of the skull. The Memento Mori was cast from a 35-year-old 18th century European man, but the finished piece includes the original teeth.

It is estimated that the cost to produce the piece was close to $30 million. It appears Hirst will maintain some equity in the piece. Asked what his next piece would be, he replied “Two diamond skeletons shagging – no just kidding.”

It seems that the line between artist and luxury brands are blurring. A large part of the allure of Hirst’s work seems to be the allure of the forbidden and unattainable.