YI Summer: Jeff Koons’s studio
Jul 31, 2014
Jeff Koons with YI participants in his studio, July 2014. Photograph by Filip Wolak
On July 31, Youth Insights summer programs YI Introductions and the YI Summer Intensive had the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Jeff Koons’s studio for an extensive tour from Koons himself!
Both groups were familiar with Koons’s work, which made the chance to see his studio and meet the artist doubly exciting. Throughout the summer, teens in YI Introductions learned in-depth about Jeff Koons: A Retrospective at the Whitney and planned their own tours of the exhibition, and YI Summer Intensive participants received a curatorial walkthrough of the show.
We met outside of Koons’s studio in Chelsea and were welcomed into the expansive space by Koons and his assistants. Throughout the hour-long tour, Koons gave the teens an amazing level of access to his studio, his work, and his thoughts. He showed them plans and models for future works and discussed projects he is currently brainstorming. Koons also took the teens through room after room of his studio, where his assistants work to fabricate and perfect every aspect of his paintings and massive sculptures.
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Jeff Koons describes his work to YI participants, July 2014. Photograph by Filip Wolak
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Jeff Koons talks more about his process to YI participants, July 2014. Photograph by Filip Wolak
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YI Summer Intensive participant Andrea asks Jeff Koons a question about his work, July 2014. Photograph by Filip Wolak
After the tour, Koons made time for the teens to ask him questions about his work. He talked about the process he uses to fabricate large sculptures, how he hires new assistants for his studio, and his artistic philosophy. Finally, Koons offered to pose with all the YI teens in the middle of his studio, then shook each of their hands as they left. YI is so grateful to Jeff Koons and his studio team for such an amazing afternoon!
Correna Cohen, Youth Insights Fellow