Alex Hyde's 'Exhibition' Review: An Elegiac Tribute to the YBA Era

Alex Hyde's second novel, "Exhibition," is an elegant *Künstlerroman* that immerses readers in the vibrant, and at times contentious, London art scene of the 1990s, a period defined by the explosion of the Young British Artists (YBA) movement. The narrative intricately weaves the story of a complex relationship between two artists whose identities become profoundly entangled through their creative collaboration. This personal drama unfolds against the backdrop of a significant cultural inflection point, capturing the essence of a transformative era in British art.

The novel implicitly engages with the legacy of Damien Hirst, a prominent figure of the YBA movement, and his seminal 1991 artwork, "The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living." This iconic piece, featuring a shark preserved in formaldehyde, is presented as a prescient, albeit grim, parable of neoliberalism. Initially, in 1991, the artwork might have been interpreted as a representation of raw, vital energy. However, as the review suggests, the decaying state of the shark now serves as a stark allegory for a system that has persisted far beyond its natural lifespan, sustained and celebrated by institutions that find profit in its perceived ugliness. Hyde's novel uses this cultural touchstone to explore the broader societal and artistic implications of the time.

"Exhibition" meticulously dissects a pivotal moment when the collapse of the postwar cultural settlement, which included the decline of municipal culture and public institutions, was decisively and ubiquitously transmuted into individualized, confessional artistic capital. This shift fundamentally altered how art was conceived, produced, and valued, moving away from collective or publicly funded endeavors towards a model increasingly driven by individual branding and market forces. Hyde's narrative delves into the personal and professional consequences for artists navigating this evolving landscape, highlighting the challenges and opportunities presented by this new paradigm.

Through its exploration of artistic ambition, the dynamics of collaboration, and the pervasive societal forces that shaped the art world of the 1990s, "Exhibition" provides a nuanced and insightful look at a defining period in British art history. The novel's elegiac tone suggests a reflective engagement with the past, examining the enduring legacy of the YBA movement and its lasting influence on contemporary art and culture. Alex Hyde's work offers a fictional lens through which to comprehend the complexities of artistic creation and the continuously evolving definition of artistic success in a rapidly changing world.