Jeff Koons’ 7 most famous works
About Jeff Koons' life
American artist Jeff Koons has as many fans as critics, and continues to mesmerise the world with his bold works. He has even set a record for the most expensive piece ever sold by a living artist. Koons was born in 1955 in York, Pennsylvania, and studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Through his career, he has gained the name of one of the most influential and charismatic artists of our life.
Jeff Koons in Berlin © Oliver MarkWhat is Jeff Koons famous for?
Jeff Koons is the author of more than a thousand unique and original art pieces. His artwork embellishes the greatest museums all over the world. His approach to art and the process of creation is loaded with sentimental and spiritual, yet practical details. From his balloon animals, usually made with mirror-finish surfaces, to his ‘Play-Doh’ sculpture, here we delve into some of the artist’s most memorable pieces.
1. Gazing Ball Series, 2013
Jeff Koons has always denied that his works have hidden meanings. But every work of art is expected to carry one because we all perceive the same objects differently.
Most of Koons’ works have reflective surfaces, which create a connection between the art works and the spectators. That’s reflected in most of his work, but most significantly in his ‘Gazing Ball’ series, in which we see masterpieces like Altdorfer's ‘The Battle of Alexander at Issus’, Perugino's Madonna and ‘Child with Four Saints’, and Giotto's ‘The Kiss of Judas’, each of which has painted aluminium shelf attached carrying a blue glass gazing ball. Inside the ball, viewers see both the painting and their own reflection.The act of seeing each other united in the reflection of the ball connects the audience with the piece, and therefore with its past and its author. The ‘Gazing Ball’ series allows viewers to travel through the history of art.
2. Rabbit, 1986
Rabbit by Jeff Koons, photographed by Fred Romero at the Centre Pompiduo, Paris‘Rabbit’ is a 1986 sculpture by Jeff Koons and the idea arose from his 1979 work ‘Inflatable Flower and Bunny’. One of the versions of ‘Rabbit’ was sold for $91.1 million at Christie's, which is the highest price for the work of a living artist ever sold at an auction. Their essence makes ‘Bunny’ and ‘Rabbit’ quite different pieces. ‘Rabbit’, in comparison to ‘Bunny’, seems like it's ready for a battle. The carrot held by ‘Rabbit’ looks like a weapon that reflects everything around it. Even the grey colour of the sculpture reminds viewers of armour. Koons represents one of the most peaceful animals in quite an aggressive way. The shocking value comes from the unexpected sense of intimidation from an animal like a rabbit. The piece makes viewers question the polarity of life.
3. Two Ball Total Equilibrium Tank (Spalding Dr. J Silver Series, Wilson Aggressor), 1985
Koons’ equilibrium project tends to spark questions surrounding the artist's mastery and creativity, and, at the same time, existential themes.‘Two Ball Total Equilibrium Tank’ represents a tank full of distilled water containing ordinary salt and two basketball balls that float in the centre of the tank. To make the project as perfect as it is, Koons researched the technical aspect of it with the Nobel Prize winner physicist Richard Feynman.
The piece reflects equilibrium as an inseparable part of human life. The Nike posters that Koons hung on the walls around a tank also carry an important meaning. The posters depict one of the best basketball players, reminding us that anyone can achieve a successful life. Koons also placed objects like a cast in bronze, in the same room, representing death, which he sees as the ultimate state of existence. He also reflects on the circle of life and the role equilibrium has in it, with the tank symbolising the state of being and an element of death always being present.