Puppy (1992) by Jeff Koons

This fascinating sculpture "Puppy" is 43 foot tall and holds 25 tons of soil. It consists of over 70,000 flowers. Inside is a stainless steel frame that holds an internal irrigation system that waters the flowers and keeps them alive. It certainly must have taken a great deal of engineering skill to produce such an astounding sculpture. Jeff Koons created it for an art exhibition in Germany although it did appear for a short time in New York. "Puppy" was a symbol of love warmth and happiness according to Koons. He wanted to bring out this feeling of happiness and optimism as he does in most of his works.

Felix Gonzalez-Torres created a piece called Placebo. It is a reflection on the AIDS epidemic and what the health care program did in response. In the piece there are thousands of pieces of candy wrapped in silver. The idea is that a placebo is a sugar pill and does nothing. The viewers are invited to take a piece with them and do what they want with it. Koons also wanted people to take something away from his artworks and that was a feeling of happiness. They were both concerned with how they displayed their artwork. Both pieces are extremely visual, capturing the audience's attention. "Puppy" is about sustaining life and precious moments. "Placebo" in contrast to "Puppy" is about death and disappointment.

Koons felt that "Puppy" brought out a feeling of love, warmth, and happiness. I agree because I have a dog and he makes me feel happy and warm inside. Flowers, to me, are a symbol of love and beauty. "Puppy" being a dog made out of flowers brings all of these feelings together and gives me an overwhelming sensation of joy. It also reminds me of friendship because my dog is one of my best friends. He is always there for me and knows just how to cheer me up. I think Koons did a great job with sustaining the optimism and portraying his vision of happiness.

Bibliography

"Biography." Jeff Koons. 23 Nov 2009. Lenin Imports, Web. 23 Nov 2009.  http://www.leninimports.com/jeff_koons.html

"Cool thing of the day: Puppy flowering sculpture by Jeff Koons." Jeff Koons. 3009. Zimbio Inc, Web. 23 Nov 2009. http://www.zimbio.com/Jeff+Koons/articles/21/Cool+Thing+Day+Puppy+Flowering+Sculpture+Jeff

International Decorative Arts Exhibitions and Curiosities. The Curated Object, Web. 23 Nov 2009. http://www.curatedobject.us/the_curated_object_/2008/02/exhibitions-wil.html  

"Jeff Koons Puppy." Public Art Fund Projects. Web. 23 Nov 2009. http://www.publicartfund.org/pafweb/projects/00/koons_j_00.html