Famous French cultural personalities protest against Jeff Koons’ proposed public sculpture

Date
24 January 2018
Above

Courtesy of Jeff Koons and Noirmontartproduction

A group of creatives have written a letter in the newspaper Liberation, contesting Jeff Koons’ proposed monument in commemoration of the 2015 Paris attacks. Twenty-four cultural personalities, including the former Minister of Culture Frederic Mitterrand, have signed the letter, which calls for the “Bouquet of Tulips” sculpture of an enormous hand holding a bouquet of multi-coloured balloons not to be installed.

The artists argue that the sculpture, intended as a symbol of optimism and solidarity, is unsuitable for a number of reasons. Firstly, the group denounced the proposed sculpture’s location, Tokyo square by Palais de Tokyo. The intended spot is too far away from the Bataclan concert hall, the Stade de France and the small businesses that fell victim to the fatal attacks. Secondly, the artists remind readers that there should have been an open call for the monument. Thirdly, they argue that the sculpture is financially brash as it would cost €3.5 million to build it. Koons gifted the idea, but not the construction funds.

Artnet News have translated the letter, which states: “(Koons’) studio and dealers are hyper-luxury multinationals, and offering them such prominent visibility and recognition amounts to publicity or product placement, and would be particularly out of place this very touristy area between two major cultural institutions devoted to emerging artists and the French artistic scene.”

Above

Courtesy of Jeff Koons and Noirmontartproduction

Above

Courtesy of Jeff Koons and Noirmontartproduction

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About the Author

Daphne Milner

Daphne has worked for us for a few years now as a freelance writer. She covers everything from photography and graphic design to the ways in which artists are using AI.

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