It is a bouquet of tulips that has made much of him. The 12-meter high work, signed Jeff Koons was unveiled Friday, near the Champs-Elysees, in Paris, after months of controversy. His detractors saw it as a "commercial hit of a businessman" rather than the gesture of an artist.
The American had decided to offer this bouquet of tulips to the capital, in tribute to the victims of the attacks in Paris and Nice. "It's a reference to the statue of freedom holding the torch," said Jeff Koons after unveiling his work. "She also speaks with Picasso's bouquet of friendship, and with his sculpture of the woman in the vase, where we find the act of offering."
Shared Parisians
As for the Parisians, their opinions are always divided. "I think it's beautiful, flowers like that are hopeful," admits a passerby. "It's not a bouquet of flowers, it's so called tulips but it's not at all aesthetic," replies another. It may take a little longer for Jeff Koons to fully accept his gift.
He also waived profits on derivatives. 20% will return to the City of Paris, and 80% to the victims' associations.