A Jeff Koons overview thematizing shine as aesthetic substance and motif across his five-decade career

This volume is published for Jeff Koons’ (born 1955) largest ever exhibition in Italy, developed in close dialogue with the artist, and presenting some of the most celebrated works of this master who, from the mid-1970s until the present day, has forged a reputation as one of the most important figures of the global contemporary art scene. Responsible for countless works that have entered the collective imagination, Koons regards shine as a key feature of his artwork–from the postmodern reinvention of the readymade to works in perfectly polished metal that resemble inflatable toys. Indeed, shine is far more than an ornament: it is the very substance of these works, as this reflective property brings together appearance and essence. Shine gathers paintings and sculptures on loan from international collections and museums in order to explore the concept of shine, calling into question our relationship with daily reality and with the very concept of a work of art.