From mirror surfaces of sculptures to a puppy towering over the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao, artist Jeff Koons is known for his reproductions of objects and monumental statues. However he is not just an artist, but also an art collector — Pablo Picasso’s “The Kiss” (1969) hangs in his living room.
In honor of the current exhibition “Picasso Black and White,” an installation focusing on the often overlooked black-and-white motif in 118 of Picasso’s works, the Guggenheim in New York invited Koons to speak for an event called “Artist to Artist: Koons and Picasso.” The discussion was moderated by NYU art history professor Pepe Karmel, and explored Picasso’s artistic influence on Koons’ work.
In his early career, Koons said he looked to inanimate objects for inspiration. He would find blow-up rubber rabbits in stores and repurpose them for his artwork.
When Koons realized Picasso designed monumental structures beginning in the 1920s, he began to shift from using ready-made objects to larger statues as the most powerful way to express himself and stimulate feelings.
“It’s about what things can become,” Koons said. “It’s about creating new boundaries and parameters.”
Picasso’s objective was to create light internally, allowing the viewer to interpret the works for himself. The iconography in various paintings may at times appear similar, but the cubist artist never represented the same item twice. Picasso’s profound canvases could reveal new layers with each glance, perpetuating a continual conversation.
Through the violence, purity and direct and discrete messages in Picasso’s work, Koons said the viewer is engaged in a multi-faceted, evolving dialogue.
“This [dialogue] is one that takes you to the freedom an individual has,” Koons said.
Koons reflects this freedom in his own balloon sculptures that serve as metaphors for expansion. He takes Picasso’s influence and strives to internally engage viewers. As viewers become stimulated, preconceived judgments are slowly removed.
“Picasso Black and White” is on view at the Guggenheim through Jan. 23, 2013.
Emily McDermott is a staff writer. Email her at [email protected].
