It was during a VIP evening for an art exhibition in Miami that the woman happened to poke one of Jeff Koons’ famous balloon dogs on Thursday.
The artist has had around 800 pieces made in different materials, colors and sizes. This particular one was about 40 centimeters high and barely 50 centimeters long – and turned out to be made of porcelain.
It went into over 100 pieces.
– Before I knew it, they were picking up Jeff Koons pieces with brooms and shovels, says Stephen Gamson to the New York Times.
Gallerist: “Good thing for collectors”
He first thought the accident might be some form of performance art, but then he saw how the woman who knocked over the balloon dog blushed and how staff rushed to the scene.
Soon the sight of the crushed balloon dog drew more spectators than any of the other works of art in the exhibition.
– It was like a traffic accident on the freeway where people stop to check, and it becomes traffic and develops into a big thing, says Stephen Gamson to the New York Times.
Cédric Boero, the gallerist responsible for the balloon dog, says one of his colleagues spoke to the woman who was sad, apologized and said she wanted to disappear.
Boero, however, seems to take the accident in stride, noting that the value of Koon’s balloon dogs will now rise after the number has been decimated from 799 to 798.
– It’s a good thing for collectors, he says to the New York Times.
The newspaper has unsuccessfully sought Jeff Koons for comment.
