bonsoir
On November 12, 2013, at an auction in New York, Jeff Koons sold his work Balloon Dog in orange (also available in 4 other colours) for $58.4 million to an anonymous buyer. This sale makes him the most expensive contemporary artist in the world.
This is not his first record, he holds others in the contemporary art market.
Jeff Koons is a former commodity broker on Wall Street, he knows the ropes of business well.
He is often compared to an entrepreneur as opposed to a solitary artist. The workshop he runs for the production of his works employs nearly 130 people.
Koons draws his inspiration from American popular culture. (Popeye, Michael Jackson, the Pink Panther, Hulk...)
Colourful works, sometimes bling-bling, often kitsch, but identifiable at first glance without requiring serious artistic knowledge.
Koons gives this impression of ease.
He emphasizes his desire to make his works accessible to the public.
Its position and production are far from unanimous.
Thus, it divides criticism. It is described as opportunistic, provocative, widely oversold. It is said to be prized by rich people who lack taste.
Some see in him the stereotype of a contemporary art that is meaningless and aesthetically poor.
In 2008, the exhibition of his works in the Palace of Versailles created a great controversy. Visitors were offended to find a giant lobster in Louis Quatorze's apartments.
To conclude, J. K. is easily talked about, whether by questioning his artistic talents or criticizing his penchant for business.
bonne soirée :)
