jeff koons at the met

Ah, springtime in the city. As the weather here in New York finally starts to take a pleasant turn, those looking to soak up a little sun can also take in a bit of large-scale culture. Starting today, the Met will feature a three-piece outdoor installation from Jeff Koons on the Cantor Roof Garden, showcasing works from the artist's "Celebration" series, including "Balloon Dog (Yellow)," "Sacred Heart (Red/Gold)," and "Coloring Book." Each of the three intensely hued, chromium stainless-steel sculptures typifies the artist's oeuvre from the last dozen or so years, invoking a certain childhood whimsy, as well as the equally adult preoccupation with bright, shiny things. Just don't call them Koons' preferred works. "As an artist I never really have 'favorite' pieces. Art is about how it presents itself to you, new, everyday." Predictably, talk of Damien Hirst's "Shark" in one of the museum's contemporary and modern art wings ignited a conversation about money. So how has Koons taken to his latest role as top-selling living artist at auction? "Having an auction record isn't really that important," he conceded. "Things change!"



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