Take two cultural phenomena, both designed to confound us, which are now each worth lots of money: the art of Damien Hirst and the equally infamous non-fungible tokens, or NFTs. Between them they have already perplexed many art fans. This month brings them both together in a dramatic event to be staged during Frieze London, a moment when the international art world turns its fickle attention to the capital.
Hirst’s conflagration is due to start on Tuesday 11 October in front of a virtual audience and invited guests at his Newport Street Gallery. The burning routine will continue daily at specified times until his exhibition, The Currency, closes at the end of the month.