Cultual Context:
Jeff Koons work ranges from sexual themes to forms such as net-kitsch which means works that considered of questionable aesthetic value.
He started his work in the 80’s and blended styles of pop, conceptual, craft, and appropriation in order to create his unique style of Neo-Pop. According to ArtHistory.Org, Neo-Pop is “a 1980s movement that looked to earlier Pop artists, particularly Warhol, for inspiration. His art represents the subjects of sex, race, gender, and fame. He depicts his art through balloons, bronzed sporting goods items, inflatable pool toys and more. He has made the aforementioned items considered high art.
During the time in the 1980’s when the economy was rising, Koon’s art resonated with the audience who was tired of elitism Koon disliked abstract art and his own style non-elitist style helped to further his popularity. Many people did not consider his work art but paradoxically it became considered high art to collectors.
Some of Koons most important works include the “New Hoover Convertibles” and Koons said it “displayed both male and female sexuality.” Another was “Michael Jackson and Bubbles “(1988), where Koons simply makes this sculpture from a picture of Michael Jackson and his pet monkey. And his most famous artwork was the “Balloon Dog” which stood over 10 feet tall and was meant to represent manipulation and seduction.
Seminar Theme:
Koon’s work definitely relates to the morals and norms themes. At the time, abstract art was considered high art. One had to have abstract paintings or other respected art forms to be considered “high arts”. However, he chose to defy the morals and norms of the society. He took very banal things like balloon dogs, inflatable balloons, and even vacuum cleaners and he turned them into multi-million dollar pieces of artwork. At first, many people displayed his work, ridiculing it and not even acknowledging it as art. However, he changed the atmosphere and definition of high art, by promoting his Neo-Pop style and having his artwork sold for millions of dollars and exhibited in the most prestigious art exhibits in the world.
Works Cited
“Jeff Koons Biography, Art, and Analysis of Works.” The Art Story, www.theartstory.org/artist-koons-jeff-artworks.htm.
“Jeff Koons.” Biography.com, , 10 June 2016, www.biography.com/people/jeff-koons-507550.
December 16, 2017 at 9:08 pm
Interesting artist Musa. I viewed your post and art works that you uploaded and I automatically connected Jeff Koons’ artworks to the seminar theme of What is Art? When viewing Jeff Koons’ art pieces at first glance, his art seems to be very experimental, strange, and unique. Koons even released an art piece of vacuums on display. Many people will wonder what the purpose of these art pieces are and some would even call these works strange, weird, ugly, and not art. I believe Jeff Koons connects to the seminar theme of what is art since his art pushes the boundaries of what some consider to be art.
December 18, 2017 at 12:39 am
Jeff Koons is definitely one of the most interesting and successful artists of modern day. Even though he began his career in the 1980’s his work is still very visible in the 21st century and I think defines a lot of what the modern art movement is for this era. When people struggle to summarize what is going on in art in America right now, Koons is a great place to start, and because of this I think he touches upon the seminar theme of What is art and what is its purpose? As of right now, Koons has made a statement on what art looks like in modern day, and how the amplification of everyday objects into large scale sculptures can really make statement about us as people and modernism. His work pushes boundaries, is memorable, and is legendary.