Artworks by Jeff Koons

Artworks by Jeff Koons New Hoover Convertibles Jeff Koon was one of the most controversial artists of the post war time, his works were designed to provoke, shock, astonish, but at the same time, to inform, point out and communicate.1Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Artworks by Jeff Koons specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More His work called â€Å"New Hoover Convertibles† was created in 1981. The visually distinctive factors of this work are the three vacuum cleaners that were advanced for their time. The artist put them into a transparent container make of acryl and added fluorescent lights in the bottom so that the exhibits were properly lit. By inserting the vacuum cleaners into the transparent box and adding fluorescent dramatic lighting the artist made the appliances look like very valuable trophies. This was done in order to communicate the public passion for consumption and the change of values in the society. Koons pointed out th at in the beginning of eighties household appliances were something people had to work hard to buy, they represented everyone’s big goal, they were the evidence of an important achievement. The historic factors that influence Koon and inspired him to create this work of art was the rapid development of technologies and the social passion for consumption and the love for pristine newness.2 Besides, the way the three vacuum cleaners are arranged – in a straight line, makes it clear that the work of art symbolizes not only consumerism but capitalism dwelling in the supermarkets and putting the goods in geometrically correct rows, lines and forms. His work represents the mass culture of the beginning of the eighties and the use of readymade goods presents the nature of consumption in a controversial way by comparing usual objects to valuables and paying capacity to an achievement.Advertising Looking for essay on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get you r first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Triple Elvis Triple Elvis is a work of art that contains three levels. They are arranged hierarchically. The closes object seen by the viewers of the work is a blow up pool toy shaped as a red lobster. The second dimension of the work includes three photographs of a half naked Playboy model in seductive poses. The last layer is the print made of Westermann’s art works arranged one over another in an abstract manner. This layer is located the farthest from the audience. Each of the dimensions overlaps with the ones near to it. Lobster pool toy is put on top of the whole work. By creating such hierarchy in his art work, Koons demonstrated the reversed values where art is at the very bottom of the pyramid, and pornographic images are more important than it.3 They also are bigger in size. Finally, the very top is occupied by a very simple entertainment item that is not artistic at all. Adding it to his pyramid of art Koons sho ws the new attitude towards aesthetics and beauty. Making the lobster a part of the art work and actually placing it on top of everything else Koons demonstrated the ranks of values. This way Koons’ pyramid of art turns to the pyramid of consumption. The most popular kind of goods and entertainments are represented by the pool toy. The next is a series of images of sexual character – the second most popular consumption product. Finally, art is at the very bottom and is mixed up. In this work Koons makes art a part of consumption culture of the eighties. This is why all art works of Koons were based on the elements of Triple Elvis. Bibliography Farago, Jason. â€Å"Jeff Koons: A Retrospective review – great, good, bad and terrible  art†. The guardian. Web.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Artworks by Jeff Koons specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Fineberg, Jonathan. Art Since 1940. Upper Sad dle River: Peason, 2010. Jeff Koons: A Retrospective†. Whitney.org. Web. Footnotes 1 â€Å"Jeff Koons: A Retrospective†, Whitney.org. 2 Jason Farago, â€Å"Jeff Koons: A Retrospective review – great, good, bad and terrible art†, The guardian. 3 Jonathan Fineberg, Art Since 1940 (Upper Saddle River: Peason, 2010), 460.

The Life and Death of O. Henry (William Sydney Porter)

The Life and Death of O. Henry (William Sydney Porter) Famous short-story writer O. Henry was born William Sydney Porter on Sept. 11, 1862, in Greensboro, N.C. His father, Algernon Sidney Porter, was a physician. His mother, Mrs. Algernon Sidney Porter (Mary Virginia Swaim), died from consumption when O. Henry was just three years old, so he was raised by his paternal grandmother and his aunt. Early Years and Education O. Henry attended the private elementary school of his aunt, Evelina Porter (Miss Lina), starting in 1867. He then went to Linsey Street High School  in Greensboro, but he  left school at the age of 15 to work as a bookkeeper for his uncle at W. C. Porter and Company Drug Store. As a result,  O. Henry was largely self-taught. Being  an avid reader helped. Marriage,  Career, and Scandal O. Henry worked a number of different jobs, including as a ranch hand in Texas, licensed pharmacist, draftsman, bank clerk, and columnist.  And in 1887, O. Henry  married Athol Estes, stepdaughter of Mr. P. G. Roach. His most notorious occupation was as a bank clerk for the First National Bank of Austin. He resigned from his job in 1894 after he was accused of embezzling funds. In 1896, he was arrested on charges of embezzlement. He posted bail, skipped town, and finally returned in 1897 when he learned that his wife was dying. Athol died on July 25, 1897, leaving him one daughter, Margaret Worth Porter (born in 1889). After O. Henry served his time in prison, he married Sarah Lindsey Coleman in Ashville, N.C. in  1907. She  had been his childhood sweetheart. They separated the following year. The Gift of the Magi Short story The Gift of the Magi is one of O. Henrys most famous works. It was published in 1905 and chronicles a cash-strapped couple tasked with buying Christmas presents for each other. Below are some of the key quotes from the story. One dollar and eighty-seven cents. And the next day would be Christmas.There was clearly nothing to do but flop down on the shabby little couch and howl. So Della did it. Which instigates the moral reflection that life is made up of sobs, sniffles, and smiles, with sniffles predominating.The magi, as you know, were wise men - wonderfully wise men - who brought gifts to the Babe in the manger. They invented the art of giving Christmas presents. Being wise, their gifts were no doubt wise ones. Blind Mans Holiday Blind Mans Holiday was published in the short story collection Whirligigs in 1910. Below is a memorable passage from the work: Man is too thoroughly an egoist not to be also an egotist; if he love, the object shall know it. During a lifetime he may conceal it through stress of expediency and honour, but it shall bubble from his dying lips, though it disrupt a neighbourhood. It is known, however, that most men do not wait so long to disclose their passion. In the case of Lorison, his particular ethics positively forbade him to declare his sentiments, but he must needs dally with the subject... In addition to this passage, here are key quotes from O. Henrys other works: He wrote love stories, a thing I have always kept free from, holding the belief that the well-known and popular sentiment is not properly matter for publication, but something to be privately handled by the alienist and the florist.  - The Plutonian FireIt was beautiful and simple as all truly great swindles are.  - The Octopus Marooned Death O. Henry died a poor man on June 5, 1910. Alcoholism and ill health are believed to have been factors in his death. The cause of his death is listed as cirrhosis of the liver. Funeral services were held at a church in New York City, and he was buried in Ashville. His last words are said to have been: Turn up the lights - I dont want to go home in the dark.