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Where to See Damien Hirst's $100 Million Diamond Skull

Botticelli, Michaelangelo...that's who you travel to Florence to see, right? Well, through May 1, 2011, you may add modern artist Damien Hirst to the list of those exhibiting their multi- multi-million dollar pieces in the culturally historic town, and it's not just any of his works; it's the diamond-encrusted platinum cast of a skull.

Officially titled "For the Love of God," the skull is one of Hirst's most famous projects (we personally love his preserved Tiger Shark too), and the most precious by far. The skull is worth 100 million Euros, encrusted as it is with 8.601 diamonds, totaling over 1 million carats. It goes on display today at Florence's Palazzo Vecchio, with round-the-clock security of all sorts.

Look deep into the glimmering eye sockets while you can; the skull only comes out for public display on the rarest of occasions, twice before in total.

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Inside the Musee Oceanographique de Monaco

A must-do that we heard repeatedly when visiting Monte Carlo was the Musee Oceanographique de Monaco simply because folks told us it has the best aquarium in the world. Since we love fish, we decided to fork over the 13 Euro entrance fee and see for ourselves.

We happened to go during an interesting time at the museum—shock artist Damien Hirst had set up his traveling exhibit here, titled Cornucopia. This struck us as absolutely strange. Yes, Hirst is best-known for his morbid shark-in-formaldehydes, but his other paintings and installations (not to mention his butterfly "collection"), didn't seem like a good fit for an old-timey, somewhat fading royal museum, begun way way back by Prince Albert Rainier, the 1st.

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Affordable Art Travel: Rothko Show Cheaper than London Auction Houses

If bidding on movie posters and overpriced contemporary art isn't your thing, London can still entice the trendy glasses crowd. The Tate Modern will host Rothko beginning September 26.

The first major show of his work in more than 20 years, it'll focus more on the artist's later work. His series of paintings for the Seagram Building in New York--a commission Rothko never finished--will be reunited for the first time.

Smart museum goers will book their £12.50 ($22) tickets online to avoid the sort of insane queues that Londoners love. The show continues through February 1, 2009.

Related Stories:
· Rothko [Official Site]
· Datebook: London [NYT]
· Tate Modern Video Interview with the Curator [Official Site]
· Museums coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: Tate Modern]

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Damien Hirst Invading New York

Pensive taxidermist and contemporary art bad boy Damien Hirst is popping up all over New York City right now, and you can see at least a few of his works for free. (Might give you something to do instead of a Broadway show. Trust us, you didn't want to see A Bronx Tale anyway.)

Hirst's latest installation is at the Lever House on Park Avenue and is extravagantly titled School: The Archaeology of Lost Desires, Comprehending Infinity, and the Search for Knowledge. What that means is up to you to figure out, but we can tell you the piece involves dead sheep in formaldehyde-filled vitrines, medicine cabinets, clocks and a bunch of sausages. Sound gross? That's part of the fun.

Also at the Lever House is Hirst's sculpture The Virgin Mother. It's been on view for a couple of years, terrifying and delighting passersby all the while. We doubt you'll miss it, but look for the giant, half-flayed-open pregnant woman cast in bronze.

If you're ready for more, head north from 53rd Street to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Hirst's most famous work--a tiger shark sealed in a massive formaldehyde-filled tank--has just been loaned to the Met. You'll find it in the modern galleries, right across the way from a Francis Bacon painting that partly inspired The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living.

Oh, and if you don't think sticking dead animals in preservatives is art, don't pay for it. Admission to the Met is a suggested $20, so you can see the shark for free if you like.

Related Stories:
· Just When You Thought It Was Safe [NYT]
· Art Galleries in New York [Jaunted]
· Art coverage [Jaunted]