Sotheby's New York To Auction Jeff Koons' Spectacular Hanging Heart (Magenta and Gold)

Sotheby's New York To Auction Jeff Koons' Spectacular Hanging Heart (Magenta and Gold) artlover4566887898

Jeff Koons’ spectacular Hanging Heart (Magenta and Gold), 1994-2006. © Sotheby's Images.

NEW YORK.- On the evening of November 14, 2007, Sotheby’s sale of Contemporary Art in New York will feature Jeff Koons’ spectacular Hanging Heart (Magenta and Gold), 1994-2006, one of the most important works by Koons ever offered at auction, from his famed Celebration series. The brilliant magenta heart and gold undulating bow, which took ten years from conception to completion, is one of five uniquely colored versions. The monumental heart’s perfect surface is coated in more than ten layers of paint. Executed in high chromium stainless steel, Hanging Heart weighs over 3,500 pounds, is almost nine feet tall and took over 6,000 man hours to produce. The dazzling work, which was installed overnight at Sotheby’s with painstaking detail and is suspended from the ceiling in its 10th floor galleries. It will be on view for the first time in the United States next week, from Monday, October 1st, through Sunday, October 8th, by private appointment only, and on public exhibition in early November. Hanging Heart, which will be offered from a Private American Collection, will be featured on the cover of the catalogue for the November sale and is estimated to bring $15/20 million. Tobias Meyer, Sotheby’s Worldwide Head of Contemporary Art, said: “Hanging Heart is a stainless steel monument from a body of work so rare, so surreal and so beautiful that one almost ceases to believe it exists. Executing this work required extraordinary precision, finesse and lavish attention to achieve such perfection of the highest order. Koons is an artist who doesn’t allow compromise, and Hanging Heart is all about making an impossibility possible.” Alex Rotter, Senior Vice President and Senior Specialist of Contemporary Art, continued: “This is a simply unforgettable work. Hanging Heart is both powerful and romantic – the quintessential reflection of sexuality. It is highly desirable and the perfect match for this icon-driven market.” Hanging Heart is part of the Celebration series, comprised of four major iconic themes inspired by singular celebratory milestones in life such as birthdays and anniversaries. While these themes -- the balloon dog, balloon flower, moon and hanging heart -- depict seemingly childlike symbols, his robust work exudes physicality and sexuality. Hanging Heart appears to float in space and hangs only 16” above floor level from a structural beam, drawing the eye to the curvature of its powerful and immense center.