BALLOON DOG (ORANGE) mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating
121 x 143 x 45 in. Created in 1994-2000. Currently housed at Christie’s, NY

Some of my favorite pieces of contemporary art are Jeff Koons’s balloon sculptures. Mainly known for his balloon dog that sold back in 2013 for $58.4 million dollars and becoming “the most expensive work by a living artist sold at auction,” according to new york times. Each sculpture is made from stainless steel then coated with a transparent color coating giving them a very shiny and reflective look. They resemble balloon animals made by clowns but at a much larger scale. Koon’s balloon art is often unaccepted and criticised by the general public and art critics for being “baloney” and “cheap” but I believe there is a similar charm to the balloon dog as there was for Andy Warhol’s soup cans. The balloon dog is defiantly pop art and it is the placements of these sculptures that’s most interesting. Koon has placed his dogs in different environments where the shiny, bright, and playful balloon animals may seem out of place and yet takes on a stoic vibe. The meaning behind the sculptures is left to the viewer but their inspiration is described by Koon an interview, saying that, “I’ve always enjoyed balloon animals because they’re like us. We’re balloons. You take a deep breath, it’s an optimism. You exhale, it’s kinda of a symbol of death.”

This shocking pink Balloon Dog photographed on “September 9, 2008, at the Château de Versailles sparked controversy as some visitors said the work was crude and too modern for Louis XIV’s former palace.”

(L-R) Balloon Swan (Blue), Ballon Monkey (Red), Balloon Rabbit (Yellow) at the Gagosian Gallery in New York City on May 9, 2013.

I enjoy these sculptures because of the playfulness brought up in an imposing way. Image looking up at a huge bright blue, metallic balloon animal and seeing your reflection in it. Aw striking and maybe a reminder that you don’t have to be little to be playful.

Sacred Heart (Red/Gold) at the roof garden of The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City in 2008