Subscribe
Search
ePaper
Newsletters
Subscribe
ePaper
Newsletters
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Art market
Museums & heritage
Exhibitions
Books
Podcasts
Columns
Technology
Adventures with Van Gogh
Search
In the frame
blog

Hirst shark—and Venice shipwreck piece—installed in Las Vegas casino

The Art Newspaper
23 May 2018
Share
Damien Hirst, The Unknown (Explored, Explained, Exploded), 1999 courtesy Palms Casino Resort

Damien Hirst, The Unknown (Explored, Explained, Exploded), 1999 courtesy Palms Casino Resort

Another shark by Damien Hirst has swum into view. This fishy piece, another of the UK artist’s creations pickled in formaldehyde, takes pride of place in The Unknown Bar inside the revamped Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas (the glitzy refurbishment cost $620m). The 13-foot-long tiger shark—The Unknown (Explored, Explained, Exploded), 1999—is severed into three parts suspended in a trio of tanks. According to the Los Angeles Times, the Palms owners, Frank and Lorenzo Fertitta, purchased the shark sculpture directly from Hirst. Sixteen new spot paintings from the YBA’s Pharmaceutical series hang on the walls surrounding Hirst’s shark. But his in-your-face work is not just confined to the bar. Hirst’s Sun Disc sculpture from his Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable project, shown last year in Venice, is on display in the resort’s High Limit Gaming Lounge. Palms’ art collection is extensive and decidedly blue-chip—works by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, Takashi Murakami and Christopher Wool are dotted around the casino, providing an arty backdrop for discerning gamers.

In the frameJean-Michel BasquiatAndy WarholDamien HirstChristopher Wool
Share
Subscribe to The Art Newspaper’s digital newsletter for your daily digest of essential news, views and analysis from the international art world delivered directly to your inbox.
Newsletter sign-up
Information
About
Contact
Cookie policy
Data protection
Privacy policy
Frequently Asked Questions
Subscription T&Cs
Terms and conditions
Advertise
Sister Papers
Sponsorship policy
Follow us
Facebook
Instagram
YouTube
LinkedIn
© The Art Newspaper