Kitsch

In 1994 The Balloon Dog makes it's exhibit debut for the 1st time and will remain on the international art scene for decades. By 2013, The Balloon Dog (Orange) beats the record for the most expensive work sold by a living artist in history at 58.4 million dollars. While some critics see him as a highly commercial and kitschy artist, others revere Jeff Koons as a pioneer who shaped contemporary art forever.

Cheaper, Mass produced or low brow quality art, objects, or design considered to be in poor taste because of excessive garishness or sentimentality, but sometimes appreciated in an ironic or knowing way.

Although Koons has proclaimed his early works hold no underlying meaning, as the decades have passed, Koons' muse of inflatables began to take on deeper symbolism to critics and the public alike.

Jeff Koons has stated that The Bouquet of Tulips (2016-2019) which towers over 41 ft high symbolizes loss, rebirth, and the vitality of the human spirit. While Balloon Venus Dolni Vestonice (Violet)” (2013-2017) is based on a prehistoric ivory carving that is approx. 26,000 years old. The Balloon Venus sculpture captures the essence of the different stages of a woman’s life.

Some critics often say that the weight of these massive sculptures coupled with the inspiration of an easily destructible balloon plays within the notion of being heavy with a light appearance. A disposable party supply has now become indestructible. For the public, Balloon dogs represent innocence and nostalgia while the scale and material represent mass culture and capitalism.

Jeff Koons, an American-born contemporary artist is widely known for his iconic celebration series of 1994 which consisted of 20 larger-than-life, polished, and shiny metal balloon animals and 16 oil paintings. Born in 1955, Koons blends pop conceptualism and pop culture to create his highly controversial yet always engaging work. He's been creating inflatables since the 1970s to explore the commodity of culture, sex, race, desire, celebrities, media, and fame. It was his earliest exhibit where he used children's toys and flowers to showcase his veer toward conceptualized art.

With the celebration series, we can see that Koons focuses highly on using primary colors with high metallic finishes to suggest he isn't afraid of simplicity and conceptualism. He has always been fascinated with light and reflection. It's no wonder why he's been known to quote his inspiration as being Salvador Dali and Andy Warhol ( the artist behind the metallic pillow balloon installation). Koons could also be described as a pop artist, who takes everyday items and turns them into provocative art.

The 'Ideals Man' and the Art of Delegation

Koons is not only a renowned contemporary artist but also a self- proclaimed "ideals man." His approach to creating art is distinct, as he does not physically craft the sculptures himself. Instead, he envisions his artwork and then collaborates with skilled artisans and craftsmen to bring his ideas to life on a grand scale. This unconventional method sets him apart from many artists and is a testament to his ability to orchestrate the realization of his artistic vision.

For many in the balloon business, this approach may seem foreign, as we often pride ourselves on hands-on craftsmanship and creating our balloon installations from start to finish. We are accustomed to being deeply involved in every step of the creative process, from concept to completion. However, Koons' approach sheds light on a different perspective – one that aligns with a timeless principle known as "Law 7 of Power: Get Others to Do the Work for You, but Always Take the Credit."

Koons understands that collaboration and delegation can be powerful tools for achieving ambitious creative goals. By entrusting skilled artisans to execute his designs, he not only maintains creative control but also leverages their expertise to realize his monumental sculptures and installations. This approach allows him to work on multiple projects simultaneously and tackle large-scale endeavors that would be impractical for one person to undertake alone.

In the context of the balloon industry, this perspective invites us to consider the potential benefits of collaboration and delegation. While the hands-on approach is undeniably valuable, there may be opportunities to work with skilled professionals who specialize in different aspects of balloon artistry. By doing so, balloon businesses can expand their capabilities, take on larger projects, and ultimately offer clients more diverse and impressive creations.

Koons' ability to blend his artistic vision with the craftsmanship of others highlights the importance of effective project management and collaboration within the creative industry. It's a reminder that success can be achieved not only through individual craftsmanship but also by harnessing the collective talents of a team. In doing so, we can take inspiration from Koons and embrace new ways of thinking about creativity, craftsmanship, and the art of delegation in our balloon businesses.

Superficial Balloon Art

Like our modern-day balloon businesses, Koons has always been associated with the word Kitch. (pretending to be art but lacking any meaning or complexity within the post-modern scene.) however, the fact that he continuously breaks records with the most expensive art sold in modern times and his work in pop culture suggests the public may love the nostalgia.

“Oh what a feeling. FUCK it, I want a billion Jeff Koons balloons, I just wanna blow up”

In 2017 Jay Z performed with a 40 ft copy of The Balloon Dog for his festival tour. Most recently, the 2023 release of Spider-Man into the multiverse and Koons partnered to illustrate his balloon dog sculpture on the big screen unleashing an entirely new generation of fans of young children who saw the movie.

While art critics approach his work as a gimmick, Koons has won over the public with amusement. And perhaps that's his mission: to appeal to the masses without subscribing to "high art".

We see this idea of high and low art play out when Koons debuted his pink balloon dog in France at the Chateau de Versailles in 2008. In the middle of the Baroque period palace of Louis XIV sat a highly controversial large pink metallic balloon dog. Critics around the world were offended as the sculpture seemed too modern and simple for the palace, however, the stark contrast between the baroque architecture and the modern shine of the dog does reflect the opulence that the wealthy had during the time.

So, does it matter if your fellow critic sees your art as simple, old school, too modern, or not artistic enough if the public loves you?

For Koons, the answer is probably no. If you can sell your art, if you can gain the approval of the public, the perception that your fellow artist (or even competitor) shouldn’t matter much.

The question then becomes, “When does kitschy art, become valuable?”

Perhaps it's when it's in demand in the public eye and can influence pop culture.

We could consider Koons to be one of the most world-renowned balloon artists. And the lessons Koons can teach the balloon industry are fairly simple and yet so liberating.

Ballon art doesn't have to have a deeper meaning or use than just being balloons, for a children's party, to make people smile.

Sometimes being a conceptualist is enough. Contributing to the ideals of the balloon industry doesn't mean you have to be the one creating the installations. YOU are still an artist.

As long as the masses love it, as long as it sells, it's valuable and it is art.

Like balloons for events, Koons' creations may delight the general public, while certain art connoisseurs may prove more challenging to persuade. Perhaps, however, this is precisely Koons' intention – to craft pieces that exalt popular culture and the ordinary, all the while challenging the traditional notions of what art should be, when it's considered valuable, and what it should look like.