Versailles Kitsch
Come September, the fireworks surrounding the Château de Versailles will not be confined to the gardens. It will be interesting to note the reaction of the traditionalists to the exhibition that will kick of the fall season. Undoubtedly, it will draw the public.
From 10 September until 14 December, American neo-Pop icon Jeff Koons, referred to (ironically?) by Le Figaro as the new Sun King of Versailles, will be exhibiting at the château. Like so many fugitive balloons from the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, 16 of Koons’s works will sit among the works of the masters of the 17th century. Kitsch meets baroque.
Koons has become the poster child for art as business. He could be seen as the spiritual descendant of Andy Warhol, and, 
like Warhol, he employs a large staff to execute the works while he handles the important business of self-promotion.
From the beginning of his career, when he employed a consultant for the purpose, he has cultivated his image. Clearly his efforts have paid off handsomely. In November 2007 his Hanging Heart (Magenta) sold at Sotheby’s in New York for $23.56 million. That piece will be hung on the Queen’s Staircase, marking the end of the visit.
Jean-Jacques Aillagon, president of the Château de Versailles, a former culture minister who formerly ran François Pinault’s Palazzo Grassi in Venice, seems hell-bent on bringing Versailles into the 21st century. In addition to the Koons exhibition, he has commissioned designer Agnès B. to create new uniforms for the staff, artist Daniel Buren to create a staircase, and plans to build on the existing portrait collection by adding representations of contemporary figures, envisioning a gallery at Versailles that will be the equivalent of London’s National Portrait Gallery.
There are many reasons to visit an exhibition. In the case of this one, I suspect there will be more layers to the public reaction than in the art exposed.
(Photo Credits: Le Grand Trianon (Wikipedia Commons); Rabbit (Noebse).
Jan del Monte, blogging from the rue du Cherche-Midi, Paris, France
© 2008 Jan del Monte
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The only Koons work I have only liked is “puppy” and I really do not see it as a art piece – I have a passion for dogs – it came to Sydney (he did not put the many plants in the dog but its HIS work! LOL). He is one hell of a self promoter. Remember that Italian porn star he married? Never hear about her anymore but him……..
I have been to Varsailles a couple of times (not this last visit ) seen the lovely fountains and music going but I do not go there for MODERN ART! I mean – why bother – we go to see the splendior and history . Whats next – disneyland type rides???? LOL
This is spooky Jan – yesterday my local Target had a DVD sale and I wanted to get the Marie Antoniette DVD with Clare Danes. Its been too $$$ but I got it at a good price finally. Watched it last night – what a visual feast it was . The palace, the costumes and the cakes! Plus – there is alot of cute dogs too! LOL
ladyjicky, I have to say that I find the balloon dogs whimsical and entertaining, but art? No way!
I think what bothers me about a lot of contemporary art is that these people are not classically trained. Picasso could draw in the classical sense. Anyone who can draw like Picasso is entitled to go off in any direction he chooses. So many of the contemporary “artists” are pushing a gimmick, in my opinion. I’m still trying to understand it.
A lot of it falls under what I call the P.T. Barnum theory: “No one ever went broke underestimating the taste of…” etc.
I agree Jan – while some fools will keep buying it – it goes on!
I saw Koons flower puppy at the earrly days of the Guggenheim in Bilbao. Gorden Ramsey’s restaurant in Versailles has very good reviews.
cigalechanta, I haven’t seen the flower puppy yet, but I think it is one of his best efforts.
Long live contemporary art King Jeff Koons at Versailles