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British artist Damien Hirst's famous shark in formaldehyde sculpture is beginning to rot 15 years after its creation. The work, owned by US hedge fund manager Steven Cohen, is showing signs of decay after a different preservation technique was used when it was first created. 'The Physical Impossibility Of Death In The Mind Of Something Living' was originally commissioned by collector Charles Saatchi for $91,000 (GBP50,000) in 1991 and was sold again two years ago (04) for $11.8 million (GBP6.5 million). According to The Art Newspaper the skin of the sculpture is beginning to tear and the shark has physically changed shape. Hirst's company, Science Ltd says, "When the shark was originally preserved 15 years ago, a different technique was tried. This process didn't work and Damien has never been satisfied with the look of this shark. He is currently in discussion with Steve Cohen about refurbishing the work." (MM/WNWR/ZJS)
(c) 2004 World Entertainment News Network
