Art:21 – Jeff Koons
As much as anyone, Jeff Koons is the current definition of celebrity artist, which of course means that outside the insular world of art, no one’s ever heard of him. Visit any contemporary or modern art museum, and don’t be surprised to see a piece by Koons.
Even though I’ve seen several of his works over the years, I had never seen the man himself. Art:21, the PBS series about visual art in the 21st century, solved that problem.We’re introduced no only to the artist but to the machinery that produces his works. He comes up with the ideas, but then a small army executes the deliverance. He employees dozens of artists (presumably) to move his visions into the plane of material existence. (I love writing in art-speak.)
For all this, Koons creates some crazy stuff. Here’s a taste. More after the jump.
Michael Jackson and Bubbles
Yes, that’s a porcelain sculpture of the King of Pop and his monkey in gold and white. You can look at it all day long and still not be sure how it fits into any cogent worldview.
Bear and Policeman
In the episode, Koons refers to the “sexual” nature of this piece. Ostensibly, the Bear is holding the upper hand in a dangerous and possibly illegal relationship. I could see being scared by this piece. Don’t blow the whistle, Bear!
Ushering in Banality
This piece is included here just to point out that the little kid in the back is Jeff Koons. He placed this younger version of himself in the work, pushing forward the Pig of Progress or some such thing. Clap, clap. Brilliant.
