23/10/2001

BBC news has reported that a cleaner accidentally put a Damien Hirst installation into a disposal bin at the Eyestorm gallery in London. According to the gallery, the installation consisting of a pile of beer bottles, coffee cups and overflowing ashtrays could have been worth a six-digit dollar figure. A spokesperson for the gallery said that the accident would have a positive outcome, encouraging "debate about what is art and what isn't, which is always healthy". Hirst is currently exhibiting work at the Eyestorm Gallery, where he has produced a kit to make your own version of his paint spot pictures. Eyestorm has traditionally been an internet-based art sales company, but in the last six months has decided to venture into traditional in-house exhibitions as well. (Andrew Moore)