Hirst Marks the Spot

Today, in 11 locations around the world, Damien Hirst opens: The Complete Spot Paintings 1986-2001. Presented by Gagosian Gallery, it is the first ever one-man show to be produced on such a worldwide scale. Featuring 100 paintings for sale through Gagosian, private collectors and institutions loaned the remaining two thirds to complete the 300 work exhibition. Spanning from the very first spot painting in 1986 to the most recent, with 25,781 spots, the show will remain on view through February 18th (in most locations). Visit all 11 as part of The Complete Spot Challenge, and receive a signed Hirst spot print! For details, visit: http://www.gagosian.com

Third TImes A Charm For Jopling

To coincide with Frieze Jay Jopling launched his latest White Cube in Bermondsey last night, the third in London and by far the largest. The line stretched around the block to get a glimpse of offerings from the Brit pack such as Tracey Emin, Damien Hirst and Gilbert and George to name a few, proving to skeptics that British art can still draw the international art crowd.

Damien Hirst's "End of an Era" Exhibition

Saturday night at Gagosian the art world headed uptown for the opening of Damien Hirst's "End of an Era". Taking its name from the central sculpture, a severed bull's head with golden horns suspended in formaldehyde and encased in a golden vitrine, the show is on view through March 6th 2010. True to form the opening proved a star-studded affair with icons from all genres, from art to music and film. The after party followed suit at the Boom Boom Room with Hirst's clan: Mick Jagger, Bono, Murakami, John MacEnroe, Terry Richardson to name a few.

Contemporary Connecticut

Amidst the fall foliage and colonial housing, contemporary art is thriving in a stone barn in Greenwich, CT. Opened back in May, the Brant Foundation Art Study Center displays works from the collection of founder Peter Brant. Through February 2010, a group show comprised of 25 artists including Koons, Clemente, Basquiat, Currin, Haring, Hirst, Schnabel, and Warhol can be seen, and a solo show of Urs Fischer is scheduled for Spring 2010.

Pop Life x Tate

Now on display at the Tate Modern "Pop Life: Art in a Material World" riffs on Andy Warhol's saying "Good business is the best art" considering his legacy the inspiration for subsequent pop artists who have engaged with mass media since the 1980's to cultivate a signature “brand”. Exploiting channels that engage audiences both in and outside of the gallery these artists prove that culture and commerce is not a betrayal of the values associated with art, but rather an affirmation and an inherent association. Beginning with Warhol’s late works, the show includes highlights from eighties and nineties pop art, such as reconstructions of performative, ephemeral, and installation works: Keith Haring’s former Pop Shop in New York's SoHo, Tracey Emin and Sarah Lucas’s shop in Bethnal Green, and a re-staging of Damien Hirst’s '92 performance at Cologne’s ‘Unfair’ in which identical twins sit beneath identical spot paintings.

Gagosian and Other Criteria Open

Damien Hirst's publishing company Other Criteria launches its first and only US location inside Gagosian's new store opening this week at 988 Madison Avenue. "Gagosian" is the first retail outpost for the mega-gallery's artist roster.

Other Criteria is located on the store's lower level and will sell books, t-shirts, limited editions, jewelry, photographs, posters, and prints by such artist superstars as Ghada Amer, Johannes Albers, Banksy, Kehinde Wiley, and Matt Collishaw.

LANCE ARMSTRONG GETS BUTTERFLIES

In a winning collaboration where art meets sport, artists including KAWS, Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf, Marc Newson and Damien Hirst have paired with Lance Armstrong to realize a series of charitable artworks. Now in the final stages of his Tour de France challenge, Armstrong will ride the Damien Hirst bike pictured when he crosses the finish line in Paris July 26th. Complete with the artist's signature butterfly wings and LIVESTRONG logo all proceeds will benefit Armstrong's cancer charity.

Hirst for Sale

While economic times are tough it hasn’t stopped the world’s wealthiest artist, Damien Hirst. This week Hirst’s publishing and merchandising company, Other Criteria, opened a second shop located at 14 Hinde Street in London's Marylebone district. Works for sale, some by Hirst himself, range from thrifty $5 key rings to high end $58,000 art prints on mirrored glass cabinets. For those in need of a last minute Valentine's Day gift try the "All You Need Is Love" t-shirt.

Inspiring Little Minds With Big Art

Images by leading international contemporary artists Damien Hirst, Gary Hume and Julian Opie to name a few have come together for a new children’s book titled Art for Baby. Yana Peel, the founder of OUTSET Contemporary Art Fund, conceived of the project when she noticed how her little one would stare at the Julian Opie hanging in her home. Now little eyes everywhere can enjoy black and white images by today’s art superstars.