sale was a work of performance art in itself. That’s just the same as Stockhausen calling 9/11 a work of art." Another kind of media intervention occurred at the time of the Sotheby's exhibition and auction, as Ben Lewis was banned from the press event. He wrote, "Only carefully vetted art critics will fill the press pen and sympathetic TV channels pack the camera podium. Several members of the press thought to be critical of Hirst has been refused accreditation – among them me." Aftermath Colin Gleadell of The Daily Telegraph said that Gagosian, who was said to have been displeased at Hirst's decision to sell new work at auction, did not include him in a major show in Moscow. Since the auction, Hirst has implied that contemporary art is over-priced, including his own work, whose price he plans to reduce to take account of the recession. In November, contracts were not renewed for 17 of the 22 assistants who manufacture pills for Hirst's series of drug cabinets, as well as another three who make butterfly paintings for him. Jude Tyrrell, director of Hirst's main art production company Science Ltd, said that temporary contracts had not been renewed as the result of a planned termination of certain bodies of work; Hirst had announced in July that he would cease producing medicine cabinets, as well as spin and butterfly paintings. Notes and references External links Official Damien Hirst Website OtherCriteria - Damien Hirst's publishing company Damien Hirst at White Cube Damien Hirst at Gagosian Gallery Damien Hirst