Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable is one of Damien Hirst's most ambitious and controversial projects, unveiled in 2017 at the Palazzo Grassi and Punta della Dogana in Venice. The exhibition, which took over a decade to create and cost Hirst over £50 million, features around 190 pieces that blend fantasy with meticulous craftsmanship.

The premise of the exhibition revolves around the fictional discovery of a shipwreck, the Apistos (Greek for "unbelievable"), which supposedly sank off the coast of East Africa 2,000 years ago. This ship belonged to Cif Amotan II, a fictional freed slave and collector of rare artifacts. The pieces displayed range from large bronze statues encrusted with coral to intricately crafted gold and silver objects, all presented as if they had been recovered from the ocean floor (TheCollector) (Pinault Collection).

Hirst employed a variety of materials, including bronze, marble, and precious stones, to create these "treasures." Some notable works include Demon with Bowl, a massive, headless resin sculpture over 16 meters tall inspired by William Blake's "Ghost of a Flea," and Hydra and Kali, depicting a Hindu goddess battling a Greek mythological creature. These pieces were designed to look ancient and weathered, covered in faux marine life to add to the illusion of their underwater origin (TheCollector) (The Independent).

The exhibition was not without controversy. Critics were divided, with some praising Hirst's audacity and the sheer scale of the project, while others saw it as an exercise in excess and kitsch. The Guardian's Jonathan Jones lauded the exhibition for its ambition, while The Telegraph's Alastair Sooke criticized it as a "spectacular bloated folly" (Studio Intl).

In addition to the physical artworks, Hirst created a mockumentary to accompany the exhibition, further blurring the lines between reality and fiction. This film detailed the "discovery" and "excavation" of the artifacts, enhancing the narrative that Hirst crafted around the project (TheCollector).

Ultimately, Treasures from the Wreck of the Unbelievable is a testament to Hirst's ability to provoke and challenge the art world, pushing the boundaries of what is considered art through a blend of storytelling, craftsmanship, and spectacle (The Independent) .