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The contemporary art often produces a controversial impression on the audience. At the same time, many works of contemporary art are often referred to not in terms of beauty but rather in terms of the sublime. In this respect, it is possible to refer to the Damien Hirst’s shark “The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Something Living”. This piece of the contemporary art impresses viewers significantly. However, it is not a traditional admiration of the audience with the beauty of a work of art. Instead, the shark rather evokes some negative feelings, such as anxiety or fear. This fear is rather instinctive than reasonable because the shark does not represent any threat to viewers but some hidden power that radiates from the shark makes people feel uncomfortable or even afraid when they watch or stay next to the shark.
In such a way, this work of art is another attempt of Damien Hirst to make people re-evaluate the traditional view on art. The artists was traditionally focused on the attraction of the audience to the contemporary art through unusual, in a way shocking expositions, such as the shark. In case of shark, Damien Hirst apparently shifts toward the sublime because the physical power of the shark implies the threat and the power that can destroy people. Thus, the artist evokes some primary instincts in the audience.
Obviously, the shark is a very noteworthy work of the contemporary art created by Damien Hirst. The artist has created the work of art which can hardly keep the audience indifferent.

Works Cited:
Holt, E. From the Classicists to the Impressionists. London: Routledge, 2002.
Smith, R. “Just When You Thought It Was Safe”. New York Times. Oct 16, 2007.