If the art world ever decides to give out awards for savviest artists, Damien Hirst would probably be a front-runner. His diffusion line Other Criteria, which churns out affordable prints and limited editions, has just announced that its London boutique will start offering Hirst-designed skateboard decks in July.
This isn’t the first time the skateboards, based on Hirst’s famous Spin and Spot paintings, have been sold: the 200 that will go on sale this year were originally designed in 2009 for skateboard specialists Supreme. The difference between the 2009 Supreme decks and the 2011 ones? None, save the fact that they’re now being sold directly through Hirst’s own company – for a whole lot more money.
Hirst’s decks famously premiered at Supreme in 2009 to round-the-block lines, which saw fans camping out on sidewalks the night before for a chance to own a Damien Hirst for under US$100. Fastforward to 2011, however, and you’ll find that an edition of 40 decks signed by Hirst and embellished with an original 2011 drawing will cost you a cool £1,200 ($1,945).
Our response? As Hirst himself might say: For the love of God.
