Diamonds are Damien Hirst's best friends...

People are going to say that it is another "coup" from Damien Hirst, to draw attention and confirm his Art-superstar status ! Sure that is part of the game but I would reply that you had to have the idea, you had to come up with the concept and just because of that nothing can be said in front of the diamonds encrusted skull. He is surely one of the most brilliant/innovative artist of our time, and this skull is to confirm that.

The £50 million diamond encrusted skull is on display at the White Cube Gallery in Mayfair, in London.

But how the hell did he work on that skull ? Hirst said: 'We have been buying diamonds slowly and have worked out that it will take about eight and half thousand to completely cover the surface of the skull.'

'I just want to celebrate life by saying to hell with death,' said the artist, 'What better way of saying that than by taking the ultimate symbol of death and covering it in the ultimate symbol of luxury, desire and decadence? The only part of the original skull that will remain will be the teeth. You need that grotesque element for it to work as a piece of art. God is in the details and all that.'

Why is he doing it ? 'I've always adhered to the principle that the simplest ideas are the best, and this will be the ultimate two fingers up to death. I want people to see it and be astounded. I want them to gasp.'

Too bling bling and too perfect for 50 cents ? 'If it's vulgar, I'll put it on a chain and hang it round my neck - or I'll stick it on the mantelpiece.'

Surely will I hurry to the White Cube to see the piece. And of course believe Damien on his reflexion on art, death and money.

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