The Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao has unveiled the new Puppy image after having finished replacing the flowers with petunias, begonias, dimorphos, allissi and white balmines. The usual process of replacing the 38,000 plants that cover Jeff Koons’ little dog-shaped floral sculpture at the entrance to the Museum, which takes place twice a year, this time presents a different result, thanks to the new design performed by the Koons himself in collaboration with the curators of the Museum, on the occasion of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of its inauguration. It is the first time that the sculpture adopts this design.
So instead of the usual distribution of flowers forming patches of color, this season the huge West Highland White Terrier puppy will sport predominantly white, while some colorful flowers will enhance its contours and reliefs. As the plants take a few weeks to flower, it will only be later that the new appearance of Puppy can be appreciated in all its glory. At that point, the new monochromatic design will make Puppy look more like the breed it represents than ever and which served as the inspiration for the initial concept of this significant installation.
American artist Jeff Koons said: “For the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Guggenheim in Bilbao, I worked closely with the fantastic staff of the Museum at the inauguration of a new flower planting for Puppy in order to celebrate this surprising milestone. . Following my initial idea in conceiving Puppy, based on the image of a white terrier, our spring planting is a harmonious configuration of mainly white flowers that respects that original spirit. Although there are also yellow, orange, red and yellow flowers. blue that help define the spirals or curves that shape Puppy’s silhouette and coat, the flowers are mostly white. This monochromatic composition conveys peace, renewal and love. It continues to convey acceptance and plants in full bloom symbolize energy I always wanted the work to be a place where the community could come together and experience the transcendence. Since it was installed, Puppy has received millions of visitors at the entrance to the iconic Guggenheim Bilbao, so it is a real honor that you are now part of the Anniversary celebration and greet the public in a renewed way. “
Replacing Puppy flowers is a complex and intense process that requires the preliminary planting of thousands of flowers specific to this work and a staff of twenty gardening specialists working against the clock under the supervision of experts from the Department of Conservation. Museum.