Exhibition by one of the most prominent and influential American artists of the era will be exhibited at the Tel Aviv Museum • "This is his first solo exhibition in the country," says curator Doron Rabin. "He wants to make people feel guilty for doing good."

• One of the most valuable artists in the world. Jeff Koons

  Photo:

  GettyImages

On March 10, the Tel Aviv Museum will open a solo exhibition of one of the most recognized and influential American artists, Jeff Koons. Koons, who broke out in the 1980s, is one of the most prominent American neo-pop artists, and is controversial.

Among other things, he became known for his relationship with Chicholina, the Italian porn star who often appeared nude and blatantly sexualized. Koons documented home pornographic scenes in a series of photographs, sculptures and prints, which included their elements taken from religious painting and classical art. He also portrayed celebs like Michael Jackson and Lady Gaga, or cartoon characters such as Popeye and the Green Giant.

The exhibition "Jeff Koons: Absolute Value - Selected Works from the Mugrabi Collection" curated by Doron Rabin, the museum's chief curator. "This is his first solo exhibition in the country," says Rabin. "The number of times his individual works have been presented in Israel is nil. This exhibition provides an opportunity to see works from his key series throughout his career, 13 large-scale works, each representing a different series, that allow one to see the evolution of his art."

Coons's work, "Bear and Trooper," to be exhibited

According to Rabin, "Koons is considered one of the most famous, important, controversial and prized artists in the world. He has become a phenomenon that goes beyond the boundaries of art. He is already a popular figure collaborating with super brands, cultural phenomenon, celebs. He has inverted many concepts related to questions such as what is art? What is high and low taste? He has a phrase that says his works are a mechanism for people's guilt about what they like. It contrasts with contemporary art, which often challenges the viewer. Make people feel guilty about what is good for them. "

Rabin also says that "The relationship with Chicholina in the 1990s was only part of what was sometimes seen as a strategy for building a persona. He created moves that completely blended the symbolic and artistic value with economic value. He is today considered one of the most expensive artists In the world. "

And they still haven't accused him of commercialization.

"True, because he built a mechanism that engulfs the commercialization. He created something brilliant that, on the one hand, deals with market value and audience taste, and on the other, does radical things in art."

Among the works on display are the marble statue "A pair of dancers", to be displayed for the first time; The iconic work "Dov and Trooper" (1988), "The Green Giant (Rock)" and more.

• All about "Big Brother"

• 2020 in Stories: Special Project

• Songs: "Liren Makes Me Summer Until I Fall Asleep"

• Iran killed an American TV star