With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
A Jeff Koons 'balloon dog' sculpture was knocked over and shattered in Miami
The "balloon dog" sculpture, pictured, shortly after it shattered.
(
Cédric Boero
)
An art collector accidentally shattered a porcelain Jeff Koons "balloon dog" sculpture, valued at $42,000, at an arts festival in Miami on Thursday.
"I was shocked obviously and a bit sad about it," Cédric Boero, who was managing the booth that displayed the sculpture, told NPR. "But the lady was obviously very ashamed and she didn't know how to apologize."
The shattered sculpture was on display at the booth of Bel-Air Fine Art, where Boero is a district manager, at an exclusive preview event for Art Wynwood, a contemporary art fair. It's one of several balloon dog sculptures by Koons, whose balloon animal sculptures are instantly recognizable across the world. Four years ago, Koons set a record for the most expensive work sold at an auction by a living artist: a rabbit sculpture that sold for $91.1 million. In 2013, another balloon dog sculpture of Koons sold for $58.4 million.
The shattered sculpture, according to Boero, was valued at $24,000 a year ago. But its price went up as other iterations of the balloon dog sculpture sold out.
Support for LAist comes from
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Stephen Gamson (@gamsonart)
Boero said the art collector accidentally knocked the sculpture over, which fell to the floor. The sound of the shattered sculpture instantly stopped all conversation in the space, as everyone turned to look.
"It shattered into a thousand pieces," an artist who attended the event, Stephen Gamson, posted on Instagram, along with videos of the aftermath. "One of the most crazy things I've ever seen."
Artist Jeff Koons poses beside one of his balloon dog works, on display at Chicago's Museum of Contemporary Art in 2008.
(
Charles Rex Arbogast
/
AP
)
In his post, Gamson said he unsuccessfully tried to purchase what remained of the sculpture. He later told the Miami Herald that the story added value to the shattered sculpture.
Fortunately, the pricey sculpture is covered by insurance.
"It's broken, so we are not happy about that," Boero said. "But then, we are a famous group of 35 galleries worldwide, so we have an insurance policy. We will be covered by that."
Support for LAist comes from
Copyright 2023 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. 9(MDA1OTI3MjQ5MDEyODUwMTE2MzM1YzNmZA004))
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal to study raising the pay for construction workers on apartments with at least 10 units and up to 85 feet high. -
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress.
Best of LAist