Damien Hirst Opens Show in Kiev

According to the Associated Press, the artist and provocateur will feature the works at the Pinchuk Arts Centre in the heart of Kiev, Ukraine's capital. The exhibit will be free of charge to visitors, and run through September. It is the first exhibit of works by living artists.

"I've always thought that museums are for dead artists," he said. "But I think in Ukraine, the audience is so new--to contemporary art at least--that makes it exciting. That makes me want to do it."

The theme of the show--"Requiem"--is typical Hirst, mining death and the afterlife, major themes of his work. Asked about his macabre jacket, portraying a skull and crossbones, Hirst was blunt and unapologetic.

"We're here for a good time." He said. "Not a long time."

Hirst's appearance in Ukraine is no accident. Following a behind-the-scenes deal with billionaire magnate Victor Pinchuk of the aforementioned Pinchuk Arts Centre, Hirst agreed to ferry his works into the former Soviet state. The 48-year-old humanitarian and former member of Ukraine's parliament is well known as a patron of the arts, having founded the only private orchestra in the country.

In recent years, foot traffic to museums has increased. According to the nonprofit group, Compendium, over 18,000 patrons attended museum shows in 2004--the last time a major survey of the arts in Ukraine was conducted.

But whether they take to Hirst's--and his fellow artists'--edgy works is another story. Yet that isn't stopping him from going ahead.

"I hope it will make people think," he said. "I hope that people coming to the exhibition will go away with more than they came with."