Gagosian New York's 2018 Jeff Koons exhibition “Easyfun-Ethereal” features seven large-scale paintings, originally shown at the Deutsche Guggenheim Berlin in 2000, with three works on loan from the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York. The display also includes “Woman Reclining” (2010–14), a granite sculpture from Koons’s “Antiquity” series. Commissioned after the success of “Balloon Flower (Blue)” in Berlin, the “Easyfun-Ethereal” paintings combine cutout images of packaged foods, body parts, amusement park scenes, and lush landscapes into vibrant, multilayered compositions. These works blend the spontaneity of collage with the grandeur of Romanticism, drawing from advertising aesthetics and art historical influences like Abstract Expressionism. Paintings such as “Lips” (2000) and “Hair with Cheese” (2000) juxtapose vivid imagery—corn niblets, melting cheese, and idyllic vistas—with stylized, hyperreal details. The series captures the exuberance of American vernacular culture, creating awe-inspiring yet edgy panoramas. “Woman Reclining” evokes Koons’s childhood memories, inspired by a novelty ashtray, and reflects themes of cultural authenticity seen in his earlier “Banality” series. The exhibition highlights Koons’s ability to merge pop culture, personal history, and artistic tradition into visually striking works.<br /><br />Jeff Koons: Easyfun-Ethereal (March 10–April 21, 2018) / Gagosian New York, 555 West 24th Street. March 10, 2018.
