Jeff Koons is the most American person I have ever seen - he embodies what the USA has become and is in our time. There is a materialistic sentimentality in his work - it is superficial but also charming and innocent. It is also dark and sinister, perverted and depraved. It is optimistic and magical - but always there is the fear of deception - that it is empty and devoid of substance or purpose. It's like a wonderful dream that upon later analysis reveals itself to be banal and meaningless. It plays on an impulsive and fleeting attraction to the inane.
@@pestlund I agree. And the stock market was a perfect place to absorb that aspect of America, a microcosm of Americanisms in the say way as Hollywood in "The Day of the Locust".
I’ve always been on the fence about Jeff Koons, and this video didn’t help sway me. I mean, the guy doesn’t actually make his own art these days. He has a team of people making it. The fact an artist has no reservations about his work selling for millions and knowing you didn’t get your hands dirty making it yourself, speaks volumes of a person. In Koons’ situation, and by the impression of this interview, he is a salesman. Whether he is purposely chasing the mighty dollar over putting his own stamp on his work, is yet to be determined for me. But as an abstract artist myself, I would never bother to try and produce a piece - whether a painting or sculpture- that I couldn’t actually make myself. I want people to enjoy and invest in my art because my hands actually created it. A piece of me is in my work.
@@Talia_IceCreamPaints Where did I say that? I never said that. And would never say that, as I myself am using my business and brand building and marketing expertise to build my own art brand. If you read my comment properly you will see that I have a problem with him not creating his own artwork.
I looked closely at his eyes here and on other posts. I think it's a physical malfunction, especially with the right eye. One eye is moving separately from the other.
LOL...so true. I remember a rock musician saying that all young rockers cared about was fame, money, and getting laid but they never told interviewers that. And authors always say that they don't care about fame and money, but you should hear them when their books don't sell!
@@97JAF You're right, I haven't had the pleasure to talk with him, but his projects (and certainly their money value) does not match for me with the "spirit art thought" he's talking in here. Does it do for you?
@@mrcsnbr I mean can't really say, why can't he like money as much as the art? Not everything has to be so black and white. Human nature is complex, maybe he's changed maybe he's always been like this but who are we to really judge?
A dialogue with philosophy? I'd say a major snow job. It's a balloon dog and someone got suckered in to paying 58 million in the hopes that no one else would realize it's just a balloon dog and could one day sell it at a profit. This is an example of turning the world of art into just another commodity market.
Merlinhoot Boodangy i wouldn't comment on the scope of an artist's work unless i had familiarized myself with it in person enough to have a full opinion that at least at first attempts to see it in the artists eyes as something worthy of my seeing it. but i appreciate your cynicism
"Doha is bringing people together, is about inclusion". Tell that to the slaves who die everyday building this city where they will never be allowed to live. Further, he's no artist, he's a business man. He doesn't create the sculptures with his hands, he draw a sketch and pay people to do it for him and redo it and redo it until he's satisfied by the result. An impostor.
Don't even think about putting him in the same league as those in the Renaissance. Koons is nothing more than a glorified art director who plagiarizes from existing pieces of art.
John Orozco You know what I mean. If you don't then I guess you don't know much about the profession in general. He's a guy with no talent...only ideas. He then pays assistants to do all the work...including sketches.
Of course I do...but not to the point where they limit themselves the way Koons has his entire career. He barely does original sketches or ideas. Instead he takes what exists & recomposes them.
he just wants to have a seat at the table but no matter how much information he accumulates about art he's vapid banal and constrained in his thinking seeing him in person is as uncanny valley as any one of his humanoid works
This guy is so disingenuous. If he's into art for the reasons he gives why doesn't he donate (instead of sell to corporations that may or may not display it) his stuff to cities so everyone can see it? He certainly has enough money by now. How much do you need? I guess he's a IS a commodity's trader (read capitalist) who's main interest is the making of money, not really in the realm of art. Although I suppose some would consider the making of money an art.
Jeff Koons is the most American person I have ever seen - he embodies what the USA has become and is in our time. There is a materialistic sentimentality in his work - it is superficial but also charming and innocent. It is also dark and sinister, perverted and depraved. It is optimistic and magical - but always there is the fear of deception - that it is empty and devoid of substance or purpose. It's like a wonderful dream that upon later analysis reveals itself to be banal and meaningless. It plays on an impulsive and fleeting attraction to the inane.
Well stated.. but at the end of the day it is dark, sinister, perverted and depraved exclusively.
@@pestlund I agree. And the stock market was a perfect place to absorb that aspect of America, a microcosm of Americanisms in the say way as Hollywood in "The Day of the Locust".
And yet many love Steven Speilberg's charming and innocent superficiality which I also find sinister.
There's something disquieting about Koon's eyes and the fleeting smile. Circling back to the money laundering issue was strange.
I agree. To me, he has the eyes of a deranged person, or someone barely able to conceal rage.
@@mikeletaurus4728 yes
Just discovered his work today. How effin fun and inspiring
I’ve always been on the fence about Jeff Koons, and this video didn’t help sway me. I mean, the guy doesn’t actually make his own art these days. He has a team of people making it. The fact an artist has no reservations about his work selling for millions and knowing you didn’t get your hands dirty making it yourself, speaks volumes of a person. In Koons’ situation, and by the impression of this interview, he is a salesman. Whether he is purposely chasing the mighty dollar over putting his own stamp on his work, is yet to be determined for me.
But as an abstract artist myself, I would never bother to try and produce a piece - whether a painting or sculpture- that I couldn’t actually make myself. I want people to enjoy and invest in my art because my hands actually created it. A piece of me is in my work.
An artist skilled in business makes them no less of an artist.
@@Talia_IceCreamPaints Where did I say that? I never said that. And would never say that, as I myself am using my business and brand building and marketing expertise to build my own art brand.
If you read my comment properly you will see that I have a problem with him not creating his own artwork.
I just can't trust his eyes. I don't know if he's sincere...he is so intelligent, that's for sure.
I looked closely at his eyes here and on other posts. I think it's a physical malfunction, especially with the right eye. One eye is moving separately from the other.
Because nothing is behind them, completely empty.
@@leststoner yes
He is calm and generous in his responses.
such a nice and humble man
He is not an Artist, he is a Service provider for Rich Investors who Avoid paying Taxes by calling it Art.
Absolutely correct. That said, you are being kind as who his friends are reveal something worse.
Literally thank you
Beautiful insight into Jeff's genius mind.
We're so used to artists bullshiting us that when an artist is sincere, it feels weird and we don't believe it. LOL
LOL...so true. I remember a rock musician saying that all young rockers cared about was fame, money, and getting laid but they never told interviewers that. And authors always say that they don't care about fame and money, but you should hear them when their books don't sell!
Yeah, but he's not being sincere tho
@@mrcsnbr hahah why do you say that? Coming from someone who doesn’t really know much about him. Just a discussion in school
@@97JAF You're right, I haven't had the pleasure to talk with him, but his projects (and certainly their money value) does not match for me with the "spirit art thought" he's talking in here. Does it do for you?
@@mrcsnbr I mean can't really say, why can't he like money as much as the art? Not everything has to be so black and white. Human nature is complex, maybe he's changed maybe he's always been like this but who are we to really judge?
A dialogue with philosophy? I'd say a major snow job. It's a balloon dog and someone got suckered in to paying 58 million in the hopes that no one else would realize it's just a balloon dog and could one day sell it at a profit. This is an example of turning the world of art into just another commodity market.
Right on Jeff!❤
Thumbs up for sure! Jeff Koons works are wonderful! There`s much to learn about what he says. Never negative. I see buddhism on his words.
Victor Tavares I agree
A visual art genius. The voice of an era.
not really
So he’s inspired by going to
Toys r Us?
Almost got him to say "It's about meaninglessness. That is the subject"
AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!! Jeff Koons
BS, his art is not about society, the 1% is not society. He makes investment art. He makes objects not art, his real art is sales.
Koons' "vision": make a giant stainless steel balloon animal.
wow, so unbelievably complicated
Merlinhoot Boodangy i wouldn't comment on the scope of an artist's work unless i had familiarized myself with it in person enough to have a full opinion that at least at first attempts to see it in the artists eyes as something worthy of my seeing it.
but i appreciate your cynicism
what a great talk
jeff koons is a work of art! don't try to interpet his artistry.
Thank you! People are just jealous . Everything he is creating is perfect reflection of our time.
"Doha is bringing people together, is about inclusion". Tell that to the slaves who die everyday building this city where they will never be allowed to live.
Further, he's no artist, he's a business man. He doesn't create the sculptures with his hands, he draw a sketch and pay people to do it for him and redo it and redo it until he's satisfied by the result. An impostor.
Don't even think about putting him in the same league as those in the Renaissance. Koons is nothing more than a glorified art director who plagiarizes from existing pieces of art.
John Orozco
You know what I mean. If you don't then I guess you don't know much about the profession in general. He's a guy with no talent...only ideas. He then pays assistants to do all the work...including sketches.
Of course I do...but not to the point where they limit themselves the way Koons has his entire career. He barely does original sketches or ideas. Instead he takes what exists & recomposes them.
he will put same logic everytime :D
Ideas ...Ideas are the most valuable thing here friend.
wonder if he lives a rich man life, big house, nice car, etc.
they both have nice teeth whitening jobs
Yes
Nice car
Nice house
Nice kids
Nice wife
I use a reflective surface to have a discourse w philosophy, because philosophy is a reflective process. 🤣
Shock value is short lived
... he says. Have we seen his MADE IN HEVEN SERIES here? Guilt and shock are not long lived? Why?
Margaret Keane + Thomas Kinkade = Jeff Koons
6:24 lmao . Love her
his eye
Jose Jeffery Mendoza very dark. Truly dark
Evil
'Dialogue with...' repeat repeat repeat...
I subscribed
he just wants to have a seat at the table but no matter how much information he accumulates about art he's vapid banal and constrained in his thinking seeing him in person is as uncanny valley as any one of his humanoid works
i can't see how his art will be less intimidating to lower class viewers than any other
Yes, most people don't like to see truth about themself.
guess he is the least eloquent among other contemporaries
He's a buyer or curator at best, an artist? Nope. :(
This guy is so disingenuous. If he's into art for the reasons he gives why doesn't he donate (instead of sell to corporations that may or may not display it) his stuff to cities so everyone can see it? He certainly has enough money by now. How much do you need? I guess he's a IS a commodity's trader (read capitalist) who's main interest is the making of money, not really in the realm of art. Although I suppose some would consider the making of money an art.
It’s a way for these elites to exchange large amounts of money ( the real thing being sold is children) without raising suspicion