In my 12 June entry, I gave undivided attention to an artist I thought everyone knows. I was wrong. My still good friend, JT, skipped the lengthy entry… because she didn’t know wtf Koons is.
So, to all JT’s out there, here’s a 5-points bluffer’s guide to Jeff Koons:
1. Who? Controversial American, Neo-Pop or Post-Pop artist known for giantesque, brightly coloured, steel clad with mirror finishing- magnifications of seemingly banal objects.
2. When? Gained recognition during decadent 80′s. When else could such severe banality have garnered that much shocking value?
3. Claims there is no hidden meaning to his works. Apparently, Koons hired an image consultant to boost his public persona. Celebrity status can be a very effective coverup for lack of skill and talent. But self-promotion + talent + skill could very well create a LEGEND.
4.Notable Works
2008: Balloon Flower (Magenta) (From the ‘Celebration’ Series), sold for record US$25.8m at Christie’s London, June 2008
[Note: Balloon Dog is the most coveted of the Collection Series, due in part to its aesthetically pleasing demeanour and also the consensus of 5 collectors with the muscle to validate art:
i. François Pinault, luxury goods billionaire - Ballooon Dog (Magenta)
ii. Dakis Joannou, construction tycoon - Balloon Dog (Red)
iii. Peter Brant, newsprint magnante - Balloon Dog (Orange)
iv. Eli Broad, L.A property developer - Balloon Dog (Blue)]
v. Steve Cohen, hedge-fund manager – Balloon Dog (Yellow)]
2006: Hanging Heart, sold to Gagosian Gallery NY for US$23.6m at Sotheby’s NY, 2007
1992: Puppy, 12.4ft
1988: Michael Jackson and Bubbles, life-size & gold-plated, sold for US$5.6m at Sotheby’s New York, 1991
1985: Three Ball 50/50 tank
5. How? Koons’ marketing persona and work house style hints of a Dali + Warhol Combo. Here’s a clip that invites you to visit Koons’ Factory:
(video via artmarketmonitor)
thangdynasty is a work-in-progress maintained by an accidental equity trader whose brief foray into the world of investments turned out… not so brief.
Although unmotivated by the senseless pursuit of money in and for itself, she remains sadistically intrigued by the complex anatomy stealthily at work behind the whole spectrum of Markets – Fine Art, Financial, Fish and Fools.
A budding art collector and supporter of emerging artists, she slogs to prevent collateral damage to her bank account resulting from occasional manic art buying sprees.