The subject is based on a small porcelain figurine by a Ukrainian artist named Oksana Zhnikrup. Koons went much larger, however, and created a version of the dancer that stands 45 feet tall. Featuring a mirrored, nylon surface, the material allows the viewer to see themselves in the sculpture. “In a reflective surface, your existence is being affirmed,” Koons explained. “When you move, your abstracted reflection changes. The experience is dependent upon you; it lets you know that art is happening inside of you.” So I thought I would share with you what’s included in case you are a mess-free mum like me who needs to get one of these in her life.

Koons' most famous works to date are his towering sculptures inspired by balloon animals. This one stands over ten feet tall and weighs in excess of a ton. Its shiny exterior, according to the artist, is intended to "manipulate and seduce". Unlike the cheap rubber it imitates, the surface of Balloon Flower evokes the shininess of precious metals. Since this really is metal, its immaculate, reflective surface and perfectly concealed joints invite us to marvel in the absolute symmetry and perfection of the objects. Up close, however, the overall composition fades, and the viewer is confronted by his or her own distorted, imperfect image. Koons is often compared to British artist Anish Kapoor and it possible to see the resemblance between Koons' balloon sculptures and Kapoor's mirrored work, most notably Cloud Gate (2006), a large public sculpture in Millennium Park, Chicago.Here's another recipe that smells great on it's own, and tastes better if you think for some reason that it'll be eaten (sometimes the stuff comes out of the Fun Factory and you just forget, ya know?)

The auctioneer shall regulate the bidding and shall determine from time to time the appropriate increment needed to advance the bidding. Looking for an exciting activity for a birthday party or playdate? Look no further than Play-Doh! Our Play-Doh playsets are ideal for group play – they can provide hours of entertainment. Plus, it's a mess-free, non-toxic and safe way to have fun and get creative. Seated Ballerina forms Part of Koons' Antiquity series, which fuses imagery and techniques from ancient and modern art. Koons envisioned the piece to be a contemporary interpretation of the mythical Roman Goddess, Venus. A common trope in ancient and classical art, Koons notes that, "You could be looking at a Venus of Willendorf or some of the oldest Venuses. It is really about beauty and even a sense of contemplation, a sense of ease." The dancer's pose is reminiscent of a traditional depiction of Venus, rooting the figure in historical precedent, but it is also visibly contemporary, merging past and present. Koons comparison of this sculpture, which seems to depict a teenage girl, with the Roman goddess of sex and fertility, however, drew some criticism for the sexualization of young women. GeekyZone is a UK retailer based in Leicestershire. All of our items are shipped from our showroom location. Along the way, the various owners of Play-Doh decided to capitalize on the popularity of Play-Doh. They released the Play-Doh Fun Factory, the gadget with the lever that compressed the Doh through a hole, making it into various shapes. This turned into things like the beauty shop, Monster set, various baking sets, and the McDonald's Happy Meal Playshop. These were all just variations on the original concept of the fun factory.

In particular it is emphasised that all accounts must be settled on the day of sale. Sale currency is GBP. Koons once remarked that he believed Balloon Dog (part of the same Celebration series) to be "a very optimistic piece, it's a balloon that a clown would maybe twist for you at a birthday party. But at the same time it's a Trojan Horse. There are other things here that are inside: maybe the sexuality of the piece." The work recalls the unbridled optimism and wonder of childhood, while functioning simultaneously as a reminder of this naive state of development, replaced in adulthood by covetousness for luxury and beauty. The idea that commerce is the new religion is, in many ways, the key to Koons' oeuvre. Owned by the toy company Hasbro, Play Doh is a brand of brightly coloured, non- poisonous, politically correct putty sold in separate tubs of varying sizes. Although there are other types of putty on the market, Play Doh is to kiddie putty as Hoover is to vacuum cleaners.

d) All lots must be paid for in cash, or in other manner acceptable to the auctioneers, on the day of sale and before delivery is given. In the 1980s, Koons' engagement with popular objects attracted those who felt excluded by art world elitism making him an accessible and powerful cultural figure. Despite his consumer-focused points of reference, however, he still seeks to challenge people and "create work that doesn't make viewers feel they're being spoken down to". Somewhat paradoxically, his embrace of the common place has also won over the most discerning and ostensibly highbrow audiences. By collecting Koons, collectors and museums show that they can take a joke. To avoid Play-Doh sneaking into every nook & cranny, you can simply hoover it up; we assure you that most hoovers will not be harmed in the process! It’s not too late to reverse that mess In Hulk Organ, keys, pipes, and buttons protrude from the Hulk's body creating a fully working and very powerful organ, albeit one that intentionally has some keys missing and does not produce a perfect pitch. This combination of precision and exuberance, seen in both the sculpture itself and in the organ, reflects the combination of rationality and chaos seen in the character of the Hulk, but also references the Asian traditional of guardian gods, who can be both welcoming and violent. As Koons explains, "Hulk Elvis represents for me both Western and Eastern culture, a sense of a guardian, a protector, that at the same time is capable of bringing the house down".

Toys

Play-Doh Kitchen Creations are designed to encourage kids to explore their creative side in the kitchen, making playtime more interactive and fun! Not only that, but they also help them develop important skills like hand-eye coordination, fine motor, and problem-solving skills. From the Magical Mixer Playset to the Pizza Oven Set, if your child is a budding chef or just loves to play with Play-Doh, these toys are sure to provide hours of enjoyment! Play Doh Character Playsets

On the other hand, detractors call his pieces crude, derivative, expensive, and vacuous. A review by Christian Viveros-Fauné of the same Whitney Museum exhibition, noted that if "Koons's objects could sing, they'd belt out the Macarena and the SpongeBob SquarePants theme song... In clown speak, Koons's art is all whoopee cushion." Similarly, in a one-star review of Damien Hirst's 2016 retrospective of Koons' work, Guardian critic, Jonathan Jones wrote that Koons "is the Donald Trump of art. In what is now a pretty long career, Koons has done more than any other human being to destroy taste, sensitivity, and the idea that striking it rich as an artist has anything to do with talent." Now among the most iconic works of contemporary art, Balloon Dog (Red) is part of Koons’ Celebration series. It’s one of many sculptures inspired by inflatable characters. “I’ve always enjoyed balloon animals because they’re like us,” Koons said about the playful series, “We’re balloons. You take a breath and you inhale, it’s an optimism. You exhale, and it’s kind of a symbol of death.” Over 700 million pounds of Play-Doh have been sold. At least part of this is because Play-Doh dries out easily if it is left outside of its container. Also, if you accidentally mix two colors of Play-Doh, it can't be seperated. Koons’ Hulks represent the connection between Western comic book culture and the concept of gender. Koons explains, “They’re there as protectors… but at the same time they can become very, very violent. The Hulks are like that—they’re really high-testosterone symbols.” This is perhaps best captured in Hulk (Friends), where the six inflatable characters are perched on his shoulders. Koons reveals that this particular Hulk is “a guardian, a protector, that at the same time is capable of bringing the house down.”Although it looks like it could pop with a pin, Balloon Dog (Red) is made from mirror-polished stainless steel that is covered with a transparent varnish. Koons has also created smaller, collectible versions of this sculpture, as well as balloon swans, rabbits, monkeys, and even Venuses.