Ready-made success: Jeff Koons reflects at Almine Rech Gallery, London
Dubbed the 'first celebrity artist' and having already seen a full retrospective at New York's Whitney Museum, one wonders what commodity-broker-turned-art pioneer Jeff Koons has left to achieve. The goal now, in the artist's own surprising words, is 'to reach a state of complete self-acceptance'.
With the inauguration of a new exhibition at close friend Almine Rech's Mayfair outpost, this philosophy is given the space to breathe and develop. The self-titled show consists of two majestic ballerina ready-mades from Koons' Antiquity series, framed by a group of technically exacting reproductions of Western masterpieces, created with the help of computer algorithms in Koons' New York studio. They include Old Master paintings such as Giotto's The Kiss of Judas, Titian’s Pastoral Concert and Tintoretto’s The Origin of the Milky Way. On how he chose these particular pieces, Koons explains that they have all profoundly influenced his work. Some of them, he feels, have moved him to the extent that they have biologically altered his DNA. Outlandish, maybe, but he says it with such passion and integrity, that it's easy to believe him.
In front of these imposing, oil-based works, Koons has placed a series of hand-blown blue globes, rendered in a similar glowing finish to the ballerinas, providing a continuity and narrative that unites the show. Within these mirrored Gazing Balls, 'the painting is reflected, and you’re reflected into it – you become part of the painting, it takes you back in time'. They're not just 'shiny' for the sake of it, and they're not arbitrarily placed – there is real, conceptual purpose to them that belies their initial, comical appearance.
The reflective Gazing Ball paintings promote Koons' idea of 'linkage' between the audience and artwork that is so central to his practice. As he's been saying throughout his career, 'the viewer completes the work'. He goes on to explain that seeing ourselves within the image helps us to understand our place within the world. It affirms our small existence in the grand scale of things. 'Really, this show celebrates giving it up to things outside yourself, things greater than yourself.'
And it works. Standing in Almine Rech's pristine new space, among these handsomely reproduced masterpieces, and standing before Koons himself, one is humbled. The artist's coveted brand of 'self-acceptance', however, might be a little way off yet. Especially when Koons reveals that the only man ever to have truly achieved it is Picasso – his artistic hero. 'I feel that when an individual is able to have self-acceptance as Picasso did in his late 80s, then you’re able to move outward, outside yourself, which eventually leads you to the acceptance of others. This is the highest state. A state that art can take you to.'
INFORMATION
’Jeff Koons’ is on view until 21 January 2017. For more information, visit the Almine Rech website
ADDRESS
Almine Rech
Grosvenor Hill
Broadbent House
London, W1K 3JH
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Elly Parsons is the Digital Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees Wallpaper.com and its social platforms. She has been with the brand since 2015 in various roles, spending time as digital writer – specialising in art, technology and contemporary culture – and as deputy digital editor. She was shortlisted for a PPA Award in 2017, has written extensively for many publications, and has contributed to three books. She is a guest lecturer in digital journalism at Goldsmiths University, London, where she also holds a masters degree in creative writing. Now, her main areas of expertise include content strategy, audience engagement, and social media.
-
Molly Goddard on creating a community of contemporary brides
As new Molly Goddard bridal wear is released, the designer talks about creating romantic but real wedding dresses, while three recent brides tell the stories behind their own Goddard gowns
By Jack Moss Published
-
Palazzo Roma embodies the heritage of Roman noblesse
Palazzo Roma, part of the Shedir Collection, boasts eclectic and eccentric interiors by Giampiero Panepinto
By Luke Abrahams Published
-
Boise Passive House’s bold gestures support an environmentally friendly design
Boise Passive House by Haas Architecture combines sleek, contemporary design and environmental efficiency
By Ellie Stathaki Published
-
Don’t miss: Thea Djordjadze’s site-specific sculptures in London
Thea Djordjadze’s ‘framing yours making mine’ at Sprüth Magers, London, is an exercise in restraint
By Hannah Silver Published
-
‘Accordian Fields’ at Lisson Gallery unites painters inspired by London
‘Accordian Fields’ at Lisson Gallery is a group show looking at painting linked to London
By Amah-Rose Abrams Published
-
Fetishism, violence and desire: Alexis Hunter in London
‘Alexis Hunter: 10 Seconds’ at London's Richard Saltoun Gallery focuses on the artist’s work from the 1970s, disrupting sexual stereotypes
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Wayne McGregor’s new work merges genetic code, AI and choreography
Company Wayne McGregor has collaborated with Google Arts & Culture Lab on a series of works, ‘Autobiography (v95 and v96)’, at Sadler’s Wells (12 – 13 March 2024)
By Rachael Moloney Published
-
Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley confronts gaming, VR and rebirth at Studio Voltaire
Danielle Brathwaite-Shirley has opened her first institutional solo exhibition, ‘THE REBIRTHING ROOM’, at Studio Voltaire, London
By Hannah Silver Published
-
At Sadie Coles HQ, artists bring a playful sensuality to lamps
Sadie Coles HQ’s ‘Shine On’ exhibition in London features sculptural lighting by Sarah Lucas, Urs Fischer, and more (until 27 April 2024)
By Tianna Williams Published
-
Peter Blake’s sculptures spark joy at Waddington Custot in London
‘Peter Blake: Sculpture and Other Matters’, at London's Waddington Custot, spans six decades of the artist's career
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Jeff Koons’ art has landed on the moon with Odysseus
‘Jeff Koons: Moon Phases’ is on the Odysseus lunar lander and due to make a giant NFT leap for the artist, having landed on Thursday 22 February 2024
By James Gurney Published