Monopol Magazin : Damien Hirst special & Art Cologne

The latest issue of the magazine for art and life features an eight-page special about the artist Damien Hirst. The former DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) scholarship holder came to Berlin to flee from the press hype in London. Divided cows and sharks, suspended in formaldehyde, made the young Brit suddenly famous. And the first exhibition of the *Young British Artists*, for which Hirst was the main representative, was entitled *Sensation* and caused a splash all over the world. In Berlin he was still unknown at the time: Instead of hanging out at private openings of galleries and being idolised by his fans, he spent his free time in pubs in the district of Wilmersdorf trying to get locals to dance with him on the tables. The star, who nowadays is one of the most expensive and sought-after artists worldwide, is shown by Monopol during his humble years in Berlin, when he caught butterflies and opened up a paining school in Grünewald. Details can be found in the latest issue and photos here (by Christina Bolduan). Invitation to the exhibition Damien Hirst "Good Environment for Coloured Monochrome Paintings", daadgalerie Berlin, ("In & Out of Love (Butterfly Paintings and Ashtrays), 1991, Detail, oil on canvas, Butterflies) with kind permission from the DAAD. Art Cologne is on its way and with a new look: The art trade fair is moving from the Rheinhallen (the Rhineside halls) into a completely new setting on the exhibition centre grounds (halls 9 and 10) and from 28th October until 1st November is showing art ranging from classic modern, to work from today. The presentation of the 250 international galleries and different special exhibitions are being newly designed. Gérard Goodrow, head of the fair since last year, wants to rejuvenate the event, which will also be reflected in the participating galleries. With renowned names of contemporary art galleries, attending the fair will be : legends like Gisela Capitain, Christian Nagel and Mirko Mayer (Cologne), Maureen Paley (London), Leo König, Matthew Marks and Pace Wildenstein (New York), Galerie nächst St. Stephan and Krinzinger (Vienna), Schmela and Ursula Walbröl (Dusseldorf)and Michael Schultz and Wohnmaschine (Berlin). The exhibition area OPEN SPACE will showcase new talents. In the Reader's Lounge you can also visit Monopol; maybe we'll see you there? The ART FAIR is going into the third round and parallel to ART COLOGNE from 29.10.05 - 01.11.05 is showing the latest art. Over 60 galleries are exhibiting work for sale by more than 200 contemporary artists (age group from 1960 upwards) from overseas and Europe. And new to the fair is that only up to date work, which was completed in the 21st century, will be shown. A highlight of the ART FAIR is DiVA from New York. With approx. 30 exhibitors DiVA is also presenting itself as the first art fair in Germany that shows video and digital art .