His blend of highbrow and lowbrow has kept Jeff Koons at the centre of contemporary art for decades. Now he has lent his aesthetic to a collaboration with Louis Vuitton, writes Marianna Cerini
Mention Jeff Koons in the art world and you’ll get wildly divergent responses. Some will hail him as a genius, others as a charlatan. Whatever your opinion, the American artist—known for elevating children’s toys and vacuum cleaners to the stature of the Greek gods, and for bringing large-scale balloon sculptures into the hallowed halls of the Louvre—is a highly successful yet disruptive giant of contemporary art.
The impresario of power pop art is a cultural phenomenon in his own right: so established, that he is no longer affected by people’s opinions. “Some people are very engaged with art, while others are simply intimidated by it,” he says. “They haven’t come to realise that art is a tool and can be very liberating. [But], as an artist, the only thing that really matters is trusting yourself, following your interests, and focusing on them.”
Which is exactly what Koons has been doing since the ’80s, when he emerged as an innovative sculptor whose stainless steel statues—1986’s Rabbit being a famous example—won over curators, art historians, and critics, who saw in his work a dazzling contemporary update of a broad range of heathen and holy iconography.
Denne historien er fra July 2017-utgaven av Philippine Tatler.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra July 2017-utgaven av Philippine Tatler.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
SWEET SWISS SOJOURN
There is an undeniable charm that the Alps hold. Even skiing down its slopes has its own adrenalinefuelled appeal. But one can forego the adventure to indulge in what Switzerland has to offer
CAN THE MOVIE INDUSTRY BE SAVED?
Rising costs, low audience turnout and lack of originality are issues affecting Philippine cinema today. We ask director and Film Development Council of the Philippines Chairman Jose Javier Reyes what needs to be done to ensure its survival
NEW NOSTALGIA
Grammy-winning Gen Z singer songwriter Laufey refuses to be put into boxes and talks on the importance of going off the sheet music' in both performance and life
Perfect HARMONY
Over the past 40 years, OPM icons Pops Fernandez, Martin Nievera, Zsa Zsa Padilla and Gary Valenciano have been captivating audiences with songs about love, life and inspiration. In an interview with Tatler, they shared their journeys and challenges, discussed the current state of the Philippine music industry, and expressed their aspirations for the new generation that is taking OPM to the global stage
LET ME ENTERTAIN YOU
For our inaugural Entertainment and Culture Issue, we spotlight the world of music by featuring 26 exceptional stars among the best and brightest in the country
Night of Glamour
Solidifying its position in the market, the Belo Medical Group has once again showcased why it is one of the top aesthetic practitioners in the country
From Combat to Health
Colonel Ariel Querubin's dedication to well-being echoes a mission of empowering individuals to live healthy, protected lives
More than Meals
Three inspirational women demonstrate how fresh, exceptional food connects and nourishes us across time through luxury brands Sub-Zero and Wolf
Zig Dulay
From thought-provoking dramas to enchanting fantasies, Zig Dulay is reintroducing the Filipino narrative to the world
My Top Shot
Photographer Filbert Kung shares the inspiration behind his Chronology of a Mind exhibition in Milan