Damien Hirst's Shark Sculpture on View at Metropolitan Museum of Art Through 2010

Damien Hirst's sculpture 'The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living', featuring a 13-foot tiger shark preserved in formaldehyde, was displayed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City until October 2010. Hirst, a leading figure of the Young British Artists (YBA), originally created the work in 1991. The installation references minimalist aesthetics and 19th-century sublime concepts, with accompanying artworks by Francis Bacon and Winslow Homer from the museum's collection. A refurbished shark was used, improved with better preservatives. Hirst and the YBA gained prominence through tabloid publicity and support from collector Charles Saatchi, owner of a major advertising agency. The movement's ethos, 'Art for All', aligns with Hirst's provocative approach, exemplified by his $100 million diamond-studded skull. The YBA's style contrasts with earlier groups like the 1920s Bright Young Things, which included writer Evelyn Waugh. Hirst's work often sparks debate over artistic value, drawing broad public attention.