High Life

HIGH LIFE #11 Aug 2017 131 One of the most widely recognized figures in contemporary art, Koons has brought imagery from his longstanding “Gazing Ball” paintings – a series of largescale handpainted reproductions ofworks by the oldmasters – to a range of LouisVuittonproducts. His recreations of masterpieces by da Vinci, Titian, Rubens, FragonardandVanGoghhavebeentransposedontoLouisVuitton bags such as the Speedy, the Keepall and the Neverfull. Inchoosingworkswhichthemselves consciouslyreferenced paintings of the past, Koons’ “Gazing Ball” series of paintings placed the artist within a chain of influence and inspiration that runs through the history of western art. By representing these celebratedpiecesonbags, Koons invitesviewers toconsiderthese works anew, opening themuseum to theworld and encouraging us to experience the oldmasters in novel ways. The bags are realized using quality materials and each one is boldly emblazoned with the name of the original artist whose work is represented. Koons has also reconfigured the famous Louis Vuitton monogram to bear his initials. This represents a radical departure for the house, which has never previously allowed its iconic pattern to be reshaped.