In 2014, Damien Hirst (born 1965) unveiled a new series of "paintings" composed of vast numbers of surgical instruments, which combine to form bird's-eye views of cities from around the world. With these
Black Scalpel Cityscapes
, Hirst investigates subjects pertaining to the sometimes disquieting realities of modern life—surveillance, urbanization, globalization and the virtual nature of conflict—as well as those relating to the human condition in general, such as our inability to arrest physical decay. Buildings, rivers and roads are rendered as scalpels, razor blades, hooks and safety pins. Described by the artist as "portraits of living cities," the full series is illustrated in this volume and accompanied by detail illustrations. Also included is an essay by Jerry Brotton, author of
A History of the World in Twelve Maps
, and a short story by novelist and arts writer Michael Bracewell.