Jeff Koons downsizes studio, lays off staff amid declining sales
Jeff Koons, the world’s top-earning artist, has downsized his office space to a smaller location at 475 Tenth Avenue in Hudson Yards, New York, which has led to significant layoffs. Former employees have expressed their dissatisfaction on social media, with some stating, "It's the end of an era." This reduction in staff comes after a decline that started in 2017 when his Gazing Ball series underperformed at David Zwirner and Gagosian galleries, leading to previous layoffs and attempts at unionization. In 2013, his Balloon Dog sold for a record $58 million at Christie's. Recently, he faced a €135,000 settlement for plagiarism and a ruling related to his artwork Naked. An upcoming exhibition, "Apparenza svelata," is set for May 17 at Fondación Jumex in Mexico City.
Key facts
- Jeff Koons moved his offices to 475 Tenth Avenue, Hudson Yards, New York, with reduced space.
- Significant layoffs of studio collaborators occurred.
- Former employees tweeted 'It is the end of an era.'
- In 2017, the Gazing Ball series had poor sales at David Zwirner and Gagosian.
- Earlier layoffs began in 2017, and ex-workers tried to unionize.
- In 2013, Balloon Dog sold for $58 million at Christie's New York.
- Koons paid €135,000 to settle a plagiarism suit by Franck Davidovici over Fait d'hiver.
- In 2017, the Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris ruled against Koons for Naked, based on a photo by Jean-François Bauret.
- Bouquet of Tulips, a 30-ton public sculpture gifted to Paris, failed to find a location in March 2018.
- Exhibition 'Apparenza svelata: desiderio e oggetto nel lavoro di Marcel Duchamp e Jeff Koons' opens May 17 at Fundación Jumex, Mexico City, curated by Massimiliano Gioni.
Entities
Artists
- Jeff Koons
- Marcel Duchamp
- Massimiliano Gioni
- Franck Davidovici
- Jean-François Bauret
- Gerard Richter
Institutions
- David Zwirner
- Gagosian
- Christie's New York
- Tribunal de Grande Instance de Paris
- Centre Pompidou
- Fundación Jumex
- Artribune
- ARTnews
Locations
- New York
- Hudson Yards
- 475 Tenth Avenue
- Paris
- Mexico City
- France