The work of art is instantly recognisable because of how powerful it is. It is a rabbit made of stainless steel which has been around for 33 years. On Wednesday, it was finally sold at an auction. 81,3 million euros were paid for this peculiar sculpture, making the artist Jeff Koons the most expensive artist alive.
The auction
The action was held last Wednesday, on the 15th of May, and it was organized by Christie’s, in New York. These auctions feature masterpieces from major figures throughout history, like Warhol, Balthus or Cézanne.
Last Wednesday’s auction was devoted to post-war and contemporary art. Jeff Koons’ stainless steel rabbit stole the show.
What the rabbit represents
What’s interesting about this piece is that it brings up mixed feelings inside the observer: when looking at the meter-long art piece, it looks heavy but at the same time very soft.
However, it looks, at the same time, amusing even without having any gestures or expressions. It’s a contradiction in a piece of art, filled with the ironies of it.
Robert Mnuchin
The rabbit is part of a three-piece series created in 1986. The million-dollar work of art was bought by someone from the public, who turned out to be Robert Mnuchin. Last year he bought a different piece at the same auction, but this one upped it by almost one million.
What’s special about Jess Koons’ stainless steel Rabbit is that it sends out the message that all likings are acceptable. The meaning changes depending on who looks at it.
The “anti-David”
Alex Rotter, from Christie’s considers it the most important sculpture from the 20th century. It has also been called the “anti-David” as a reference to the famous Michelangelo Buonarroti: “the end of sculpture”.
“I see that pop art feeds people a dialogue in which they can participate. Instead of having the artist lose themselves in the masturbatory act of the subject, the artist lets the public lose itself in the act of masturbation”
Jeff Koons
What the designer of the piece himself has stated, is that it’s a symbol that stands for both a leader and a preacher. It is the “pop consummation”.
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