Jeff Koons-- Art Reproduction

In addition to Jonny, I really enjoyed this reading—especially because my Contemporary Art & Theory class last Spring also read it! So I was a bit familiar with it, but definitely discovered new things as I read it again. Throughout this text by Benjamin, I couldn’t help but constantly think about the renowned artist, Jeff Koons.

Koons is an American artist that is mostly known for his reproduction of common objects—such as balloon animals, which are then converted into stainless steel with sharp mirror finishes. However, he is a very controversial artist because he, himself, never makes any of his own work. He comes into his studio with a simple sketch of what he would like, and then has his studio assistants create the piece of art. So, is he really the artist? That’s a whole other story… but I mention him because he is obviously very fine with the continuous reproduction of art.

In a documentary that we watched in my Contemporary Art & Theory course, Koons’ inventory of all of his artwork were shown on a private server—not accessible to the public. In one of his collections, he focuses very heavily on butterflies. In that collection, there is over a hundred different pieces, yet there are VERY slight differences that even make each piece stand different from the other. I’m talking as small of a difference as one of the colors on a butterflies’ wing. Most people don’t even know these hidden works of art exist! He changes them the absolute slightest bit, which screams reproduction. This is crazy to me when you look at some artists that only have one piece that they’re known for.

I also found it very interesting in the reading when Benjamin talks about how people are now purposely creating things that are easy to reproduce because people would rather have something within reach (regardless of whether it is not the original) instead of taking a trip to a museum. This idea to me is insane and only makes me think where art is going. Personally, it is so important for me to see the original—I could careless about a fake. There’s nothing special about that! So I guess you could say that I’m on the same page as the people, that Benjamin mentions, being very private about artwork. I’d rather truly appreciate an original piece of art for what it is, as opposed to being okay with the constant reproduction in the art industry. 

Also, in case you're interested in Koons' work, here he is talking in his studio--

http://www.tate.org.uk/context-comment/video/studio-jeff-koons