Robert Hughes vs. Damien Hirst

Major snaps to Robert Hughes for his Anti-Damien stance as shown in this weekend's addition of the Guardian Review (13/9/2008), and for the ongoing rap battle between the two.

I am obviously biased, due to my opinion that Hughes is a genius and Hirst, to put it lightly, is not.
Of course, Hughes' opinion is constructive in an entirely deconstructive way; he wants to see Hirst's methods fall, and fall fast. Hughes, as a leading critic of art in the 20th century, has shown time and time again his ability to intelligently, humourously and articulately express his opinions regarding the ever changing art world. His approach to some modern developments in art could be seen as unfair - for example, his harsh view on Barbara Kruger, whose works include pieces such as Your Body Is A Battleground (1989) - but his Hirst piece was pitch perfect.

While the comparison of an artist and an art critic is not a common approach to take, in this case it may be apt for discovering where one succeeds and the other fails. While Hirst can certainly be seen as financially successful, in expressive terms he certainly falls short. His response to informed criticism from Hughes was "He probably cried when Queen Victoria died." Although this - along with the quip "Robert Who?" - can be seen on the one hand as baffling yet amusing non sequiturs, on further contemplation, it just shows Hirst as being tragically incapable of intelligently expressing himself.

This was also shown in his interview on Radio 4's Front Row last Monday; all I really got from it is that he liked money. And that he is a fool. Which I already knew. And that he compared his methods to someone working in a factory producing postcard versions of the Mona Lisa, and that he would rather be that accessible than have his work hidden behind glass and harshly guarded. OH, SWEET SWEET IRONY.

I am trying to justify my hatred of a man who is obviously a charlatan. There is no point. It will not make him any less of a charlatan.

The points in the competition thus far:

Hughes: OVER NINE THOUSAND.

Hirst: Nil.

Anyway, I've got my last chance to go to the Sotheby's auction tomorrow to check things out; fuck that shit, I'm getting my hair cut.

p.s. I would like to thank my fan base. Thank you, Becky.