Well, well, well, it seems like even the most expensive living artist in the world can't escape the hilarious hand of fate. Jeff Koons, the mastermind behind the iconic Balloon Dog sculpture, recently suffered a rather embarrassing blow when one of his prized pieces was accidentally smashed into a thousand pieces.
Credit: Bel-Air Fine Art Contemporary Art Galleries/ Jeff Koons
Yes, you read that right. During the VIP preview event at the Art Wynwood contemporary art exhibition in Miami, a woman accidentally kicked the base of the sculpture, causing it to shatter into a million pieces. The incident was witnessed by Wynwood-based artist and collector, Stephen Gamson, who was quick to post about it on Instagram, and as expected, the post went viral.
Credit: Bel-Air Fine Art Contemporary Art Galleries/ Jeff Koons
The sculpture, made of iridescent porcelain, was on an acrylic plinth when the fateful kick happened. While the incident was undoubtedly heartbreaking for Koons and his team, it's hard not to find the whole thing a little bit funny. I mean, who would have thought that a Balloon Dog, worth $42,000, would end up in a thousand pieces on the ground at an art exhibition?
But let's not be too harsh on the lady. After all, accidents happen, and the artist has already created a name for himself by making some of the most iconic pieces in art history. It's just a shame that his Balloon Dog couldn't withstand a little accidental kicking.
Who knows, maybe this incident will inspire Koons to create even more durable sculptures in the future. Or perhaps, he'll start making balloon animals out of sturdier materials, like titanium or steel, so that they can withstand even the most enthusiastic of art collectors.
Either way, we can only hope that Koons will take this incident in good humor and keep on making the iconic pieces that have made him a household name in the art world. As for the Balloon Dog that met its untimely demise, well, it's safe to say that it's now one of the most talked-about artworks in recent history.