"'Balloon Flower (Blue)' - Night #5"
The sculpture "Balloon Flower (Blue)" by Jeff Koons. This image was photographed earlier this month, during a night-time coffee break, as I was working across the street at NBC. It was being exhibited outside Christie's, on 49th Street, during their recent evening sale of Post-War and Contemporary art. This work is one of 5 unique versions, and it's estimated sale price was $12,000,000 - $16,000,000.
I am fascinated by the sculptures ability to incorporate and re-interpret a familiar city skyline into something ethereal and entirely new - and, in this case, blue. My photographs may fail to do the sculpture justice, in terms of its' value as "Art", but I believe my rendering of this art work in its' locale qualifies as a different variety of "art" - art that is different; it may be not as valuable to others, but is of much value to me and my growth as a photographer.
"Balloon Flower (Blue) is one of Koons’ most important outdoor sculptures and belongs to his acclaimed and beloved Celebration series, which has contributed to the artist’s global status and taken his market to the highest level at auction. In July 2008 Koons’ Balloon Flower (Magenta), 1995-2000, another unique version of this sculpture, broke a world record for the artist at auction, selling at Christie’s London for $25,752,051. There are only five Balloon Flowers in existence, each a different color."
- from a Christie's press release on October 11th, 2010.
Also noticeable in this image are reflections of two iconic works by Andy Warhol - the readily recognizable Campbell's Soup cans - as well as the reflected facade of 30 Rock, and its' lighted marquee.
