Damien Hirst's Venice Show as Cinematic Spectacle

In his essay for Artribune, Marco Giusti characterizes Damien Hirst's 2017 exhibition "Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable" at Palazzo Grassi in Venice as akin to a cinematic journey. He draws parallels between Hirst's submerged artifacts and iconic adventure films such as "Titanic," "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea," and "Jason and the Argonauts." A beheaded giant recalls Barlow from "Salem's Lot" and the creature from "The Reptile." The exhibition is designed like a film, showcasing a model ship and featuring stars like Kate Moss, reminiscent of Hammer film heroines. Giusti posits that Hirst intertwines the Brit Pop era with nostalgic movie memories, presenting himself as a versatile artist while reflecting on the aging of both artworks and film icons.