ART 21 Response: Jeff Koons

 

Jeff Koons - Art Historian and Artist: https://art21.org/watch/extended-play/jeff-koons-art-history-short/ 

Link to video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQMUQzHtK3A

Words for his work: "Dynamic dialogues between subject matters," "emotional," "abstract" and "artists tend to collaborate with each other." Koons' work reflected his lack of expertise on art as a child. He wanted to create art to change his knowledge and experience as an artist. He was not afraid to seek help from artists around the world through past and current references. 

Popham, Peter. “So What Is It about Jeff Koons That Has so Captured Art World’s.” The Independent, November 15, 2013. https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/art/features/so-what-is-it-about-jeff-koons-that-has-so-captured-art-world-s-imagination-as-balloon-dog-sells-for-record-58m-8943284.html.

Element of Design: Color - the color value is what is emphasized to the viewer. The color's contrast in comparison to the background of the image is what catches the viewer's eye to the sculpture. 

Observations and Thoughts: The dog has four notable elements and principles that are easy to observe: shape, unity, value, and proportion. The shapes are the same throughout the form. However, the proportion sizes are different to define the realistic outlook of the form. The shapes create a unity to define the form as a dog by the attachment of balloons. Value is an important observation due to the material choices that were used. Balloons are reflective of value ranges and space in the surrounding atmospheres. The value ranges could define the transparency and good personality of the dog. The values are defined by the transition joints between the balloon shapes. Lastly, the work was created to combine abstract ideas with realistic principles. The abstract is the kitsch version of the dog. The realistic is the dog having three-dimensional forms that define a realistic dog's appearance.    

Wainwright, L. S.. "Jeff Koons." Encyclopedia Britannica, January 17, 2023. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jeff-Koons.

Principle: Balance - All of the balloons show equal importance to the viewer's attention due to its equal proportion size and length. 

Observations and Thoughts: The four elements and principles of design that were easy to observe were form, value, balance, and pattern. The forms look the same when the viewer observes them. Each of the objects seems to create a unified shape of a realistic balloon. The values are defined by the material used to create the forms. The materials allow for a value range to depend on the surrounding atmosphere. The balance principle is concerned when you look at all of the balloons. The balloons have equal importance to the viewer due to the forms' unchanging characteristics. The only difference in the forms is the lines and colors that define the balloons. The patterns of the balloons are defined by the unchanging qualities of each form. The unchanging qualities are additionally defined by the consistent proportion sizes of the balloons. However, the color pattern is not consistent due to a lack of rhythm or movement created in the unification of the forms. Lastly, this piece is a combination of abstracts and realism. The abstract qualities are defined by the methods and outcomes of the forms - the consistent color of the line and balloon. However, the realistic qualities are defined by the lines and balloon shapes that create the qualities of a balloon.