From last October 2, until January 30, 2022, Palazzo Strozzi in Florence hosts a major exhibition of the famous contemporary American artist: Jeff Koons.
Known as a controversial but revolutionary figure, this exhibition focuses on the concept of "splendor" in the artist's universe.
Reflect, become, play
On these three concepts we find the background of Jeff Koons' artistic research: Shine is the title of the great exhibition at Palazzo Strozzi curated by Arturo Galansino and Joachim Pissarro, a noun / verb that probably evokes more than a suggestion.
The sparkle is in fact the ability to see beyond the surface that the child protagonist of The Shining Kubrick's film shows to have: he sees the darkness where it is present. In Koons' production, his works are often extraordinary abyssal games in which to get lost, without self-perception.
The role of the artist
Inspired by artists such as Andy Warhol and Marcel Duchamp, Koons entered the collective imagination thanks to his ability to mix popular culture withart,using references from both this world and modern society. That connectivity between the works of art and the viewer creates a mirror, both literally and figuratively, in which visitors can recognize themselves and their environment. That's where introspection begins.
In fact, if the ambiguous concept of Shine is at the center of the exhibition, it cannot exist without visitors who are unconsciously its main protagonists. Shine also questions our relationship with the very concept of art and thus places viewers at the center of the exhibition.
Koons himself says:"The artist's work consists of a gesture with the aim of showing people what their potential is. It's not about creating an object or an image; everything happens in the relationship with the viewer. This is where art happens."
And again:"I think that when you leave the room, art leaves the room. Art is about your possibilities as a human being. It's about your excitement, your potential, and what you can become. Affirm your existence."
Where: Palazzo Strozzi – Piazza degli Strozzi, Florence
When: until January 30, 2022.
Info and reservations: prenotazioni@palazzostrozzi.org
image sources: controradio, artslife, bonculture, exibart, internettuale
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