Artist Damien Hirst Burns Thousands Of His Artworks – Here’s Why

Hirst had previously asked the buyers whether they wanted to buy the images as original or as a non-fungible token (NFT), i.e. as a digital copy. The artworks of the NFT collectors are now gradually being destroyed. Hirst broadcasts the campaign live on Instagram.

“Instinctively I feel that burning a work of art is not good. But when I think about it, I know I have to burn it because it’s part of the process I’m in,” the 57-year-old artist said before throwing the first paintings into the purpose-built fireplaces.

Hirst, whose works are paid top prices on the art market, presented his project “The Currency” last July. He offered a total of 10,000 photos in DIN A4 format, showing many colorful dots, for $2,000 each (about 1,990 francs). Each image was also available as NFT. Buyers had one year to choose the image or the NFT.

5149 people, more than half, chose the original. The others chose the NFT – their originals will now be burned at the Newport Street Gallery on various dates throughout October. (sda/afp)