As reported at ArtInfo.com, Jeff Koons Claims Exclusive Right to Sell Balloon Dogs... San Francisco gallery Park Life received a present from superstar artist Jeff Koons this Christmas: a cease-and-desist letter. The missive from Koons's lawyers ordered the space's art shop to stop selling and advertising a set of balloon-dog-themed bookends sold there, claiming that they violated the intellectual property of the artist's iconic sculpture "Balloon Dog."
Some, it is fair to say, have found this turn of events somewhat risible. "Wait, I'm confused, isn't his ENTIRE FUCKING CAREER based on co-opting other peoples work/objects?", reads a post on the gallery's blog from December 21. "So going forward, just so you know; Jeff Koons owns all likenesses of balloon dogs."
Co-owner Jamie Alexander had the bookends removed from Park Life's store to avoid a confrontation with the artist over the holidays. However, as of today, the site has an entry for the bookends in its "New in Stock" section, declaring "Back in Stock Soon. Much to the Dismay of Jeff Koons Lawyers. Call Us."
Read the entire article here.
That's for the laugh!
Posted by: Laura Jones | January 07, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Koons really needs to get a life.
Posted by: Maureen E. Doallas | January 07, 2011 at 07:07 PM