Is it art? We we wouldn’t presume to judge, but it’s certainly weird enough to be pulp. The prestigious National Portrait Gallery in London has just acquired British artist Marc Quinn’s unique sculpture “Self,” which Quinn created in 1991 from nine pints of his own frozen blood.
When originally exhibited the piece triggered both revulsion and admiration, and soon became a symbol of the BritArt movement, as well as something of a sensation outside art circles. Its notoriety grew even more when a rumor circulated that it had melted after its storage freezer was accidentally unplugged, but Quinn has refused to confirm or deny that particular tale.
Even if it had thawed, the sculpture is allegedly designed to be refrozen if needed, which means the original “Self” and three others Quinn has created over the years to embody his essence and chart the course of his aging all survive in the hands of various collectors and museums. Quinn’s incandescent genius has inspired us here at Pulp Intl. to create a piece that embodies our essence. We’re thinking of a liver made from frozen beer.