June 9–September 27, 2015
This retrospective examines the unique, unmistakable, and innovative work of Jeff Koons, one of the most prominent figures of the art of our time. Lacking the aura of inaccessibility that surrounds other contemporary works of art, Koons's instantly recognizable creations appeal to the general public and draw on countless art-historical sources, including Surrealism, Pop art, and Dada. Koons has a unique style that allows seemingly contradictory concepts to coexist harmoniously in his work. His oeuvre is a statement of self-affirmation, his paintings and sculptures invite us to reassert our individuality and flout certain taboos and conventions that box us in, limiting our role in society. Koons uses art as a wake-up call, a driving force of social change. The false luxury of some of his pieces, achieved by using industrial materials made to look deceptively lavish, and his references to well-known archetypes make viewers feel comfortable with their own cultural history.