A metabolism of Adam and Eve : Damien Hirst meets Edvard Munch

Abstract

Evolution is a theme which crosses the boundaries of art, science and religion. In this paper the problematics of evolution are approached by analysing the works of Edvard Munch (1863–1944) and Damien Hirst (b. 1965). Key attention is paid to Munch’s workMetabolism (1898–9) and Hirst’s work Adam and Eve Exposed (2004), both of which relate to the thematics of the Fall and combine the perspectives of religion and science. The relationship between evolution and art is further discussed through a distinction between pictures and images and the concept of remediation.