Damien Hirst: In a Spin, the Action of the World on Things, Volume I, 2002

This series, which is part of the Museum of Modern Art’s collection in New York, represents a pivotal moment in Hirst’s career, pushing the boundaries of traditional printmaking and capturing the dynamic essence of his spin technique.

In a Spin, the Action of the World on Things, Volume I, 2002 is a notable collection of 23 etchings by Damien Hirst, published by The Paragon Press. This series represents Hirst’s pioneering effort to translate his renowned Spin Paintings into the realm of printmaking.

Since the mid-1990s, Hirst has been exploring abstract art through his innovative spin technique, a method involving the application of paint on rotating canvases. This approach, which generates chaotic and vibrant patterns, reflects a fusion of randomness and controlled creativity. In a Spin, the Action of the World on Things, Volume I signifies his first venture into adapting this dynamic process to the print medium.

In this series, Hirst applied his spin technique to copper plates, which were affixed to a high-speed rotating machine. Using sharp tools such as needles and screwdrivers, he created intricate and spontaneous designs. The resulting etchings capture the essence of movement and chance that characterizes his Spin Paintings. The concentric-circle format and the portfolio's title are inspired by a long-exposure photograph Hirst took of the night sky, illustrating stars in abstract patterns.

Each etching in the portfolio is printed on 350gsm Hahnemühle paper, reflecting a meticulous approach to the printmaking process. Proofed and editioned at Hope (Sufferance) Press, London, and published by Charles Booth-Clibborn under The Paragon Press, the series demonstrates Hirst’s innovative approach to printmaking.

The complete portfolio features 23 distinct works, each showcasing Hirst’s ability to blend artistic spontaneity with formal print techniques. The titles of the individual works include:

  1. Circles in the Sand (2002)
  2. Burning Wheel (2002)
  3. I Get Around (2002)
  4. Liberty (2002)
  5. My Way (2002)
  6. I Saw the Half of the Moon (2002)
  7. There’s More to Life Than Making Jam and Having Kids (2002)
  8. Global-a-Go-Go for Joe (2002)
  9. Spin Me Right Round (2002)
  10. Lavender Baby (2002)
  11. Oh My God…and for Those Really Stubborn Stains (2002)
  12. Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree (2002)
  13. All Around the World (2002)
  14. Wheel Meet Again (2002)
  15. Orbital (2002)
  16. Billy Mill Roundabout (2002)
  17. Spinning Wheel (2002)
  18. Wheel Within a Wheel (2002)
  19. Like a Snowball Down a Mountain (2002)
  20. Ring-a-Ring of Roses (2002)
  21. In a Spin (2002)
  22. Round (2002)
  23. You Threw a Melon at My Head (2002)
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