Jeff Koons A Retrospective by Scott Rothkopf

Key Points & reflections:

• Pages 17-30 were the most relevant. 

• Koons has taken the reflective quality of this everyday material to connect it with luxury. ‘Shiny objects are attractive… because they provoke joy and promote energy…Living beings gravitate towards shiny surfaces.’ (Rothkopf, 2014, 17)  The psychology behind the viewers appeal to objects of this nature, one I am taking advantage of within this project. 

• "Their [Koons' objects] primary quality is their appeal, their look, their design, instead of the work they are expected to perform and thus they are highly charged and meant to fulfil emotional and psychological needs or desires." (Rothkopf, 2014, 19). This quote is talking about his the object being perceived as art rather than its use value.

• " Koons threw these attributes into high relief by casting his models in glistening stainless steel, a material that makes them even more enchanting and literally reflective of their covetous consumers." (Rothkopf, 2014, 19). The material of stainless steel is ironic due to the fact everything from appliances to knives and forks are made out of it. Yet, when Koons dips these everyday objects into stainless steel, suddenly it becomes a luxury artwork. 

• Koons referred to his sculpture, ‘Balloon Dog’, as a ‘Trojan horse’. (Rothkopf, 2014, 29). ‘Its cold shiny surfaces seem to condense the hothouse flows of capital and desire that both bring it into being’ (Rothkopf, 2014, 29).