Whether or not Hurry Syndrome actually exists in London is debatable, but the last three exhibition openings I that have reviewed I’ve turned up positively clammy. Maybe it’s because the air is denser on the other side of Piccadilly Circus. Then again it’s more likely because I weave there briskly in order to squeeze in a few drinks within the time limit I allocate to these viewings.

 As was to be expected the narrow Other Criteria gallery was packed. It was hot too, so my already heavily beaded brow went unnoticed in the loud, sardine atmosphere. There were 15 of Damien Hirsts’ foilblock skulls lining two walls, each one slightly different and signed by the artist who was probably using this to stir interest for his new batch of work that will be hanging at No Love Lost at the Wallace Collection in Manchester Square from October 14^th. Death has been central to his work for his entire career and the blue paintings being shown there will reinforce the possibility that in his midcareer days he is becoming perhaps more toned down, more reflective. That he is now middle aged makes the fact he has reverted to painting alone seem somewhat more apt.

Here, on this busy, noisy Thursday night the people present in the gallery are saying more than the works themselves. There was one of his spin paintings at the far end of the room but the make shift bar in front of it meant you couldn’t get up close to get a decent look. The dripping, disorganised bar tender was ferrying champagne out to the young crowd, some of which looked like Hirst himself – tinted lenses in over-sized frames and short cropped hair.

I liked the skulls - their reproductive nature gave them a Warhol-like feel that was rightly pointed out by my friend. The foilblock technique on white background made them serene and really quite subtle, much more so than the sculptures on show in the cabinet near the entrance. We tried our best to see what was in there but a buggy and it’s owners with a look of “wish-we-left-Hugo-at-home-so-we-could-mingle” obscured us so all we got was a glimpse of a some medicinal vials and the odd sketch.

Go during the day before it gets busy if you really want to see the few items of any interest there. However, my recommendation would be to go to the Wallace Collection instead as you’ll see a lot more on a grander scale, without the stress of finding a space to stand.

Other Criteria
36 New Bond Street, W1S 2RP 8^th -24^th October

The Wallace Collection, 14^th Oct 2009 – 24^th Jan 2010
Hertford House
Manchester Square
London W1U 3BN