Wynn Las Vegas Unveils Tulips by Renowned Artist, Jeff Koons

The sculptural masterpiece debuts at the resort for public display

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Jan 31, 2013, 05:00 ET

LAS VEGAS, Jan. 31, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the resort's continued commitment and appreciation of public art, Wynn Las Vegas unveils Tulips by Jeff Koons. Rendered in mirror-polished stainless steel and transparent color coating, Tulips will illuminate the Wynn Theater rotunda at Wynn Las Vegas.

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"Many people believe that Jeff Koons is one of the most important living artists on canvas and in sculpture in the world today," said Wynn Resorts Chairman and CEO Steve Wynn. "I'm happy to be one of those people and particularly delighted to share with our guests his magnificent creation of the Tulips sculpture, which is now gracing the intersection of Wynn and Encore in our resort, near our showroom lobby. If you see them you will find the experience totally delicious."

The sculpture, Tulips, was acquired at auction in November 2012 for a price of $33,682,500. The legendary piece is the sculptural culmination of Koons' Celebration series. Created in five unique versions, Tulips is one of the largest and most complex sculptures in the series. The sculpture represents a bouquet of twisted balloon flowers, which have been cast in stainless steel and brought to a high mirror polish and plated in a vivid spectrum of color. The gleaming surface and vivid color palette of the sculpture reflect both the viewer and itself, resulting in a kaleidoscope of color and near infinite reflections. The sculpture creates the sensation of weightlessness but is paradoxically heavy, employing more than 3 tons of meticulously sculpted stainless steel.

The Celebration works explore the concept of child-like innocence and chart the landmarks of the passing year, in this instance: Spring. Koons' Tulips, while rooted in the long-standing tradition of floral still life, offers a modern interpretation and explores a range of concepts that are pertinent to the contemporary world. The medium is smooth and pristine, presenting the viewer with an image that appears to be simple and joyous. Under the surface, Koons explores themes such as life, death and sexuality. Tulips, which bloom for a short time, are conversely represented in the chosen medium, invoking durability, immortality and the endurance of our species.

"Tulips is a symbol of hope and the strength of life's energy," said Jeff Koons. "It reflects the viewer to affirm the viewer's existence. I am thrilled to be in the Wynn collection. Steve Wynn is known for collecting great works of Modern and Contemporary art so to be able to have my sculpture, Tulips, included in his collection has profound meaning to me."

About the artist

Jeff Koons was born in York, Pennsylvania in 1955. He studied at the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore and the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He received a BFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art in 1976. Koons lives and works in New York City.

Koons gained acclaim for his public sculptures, such as the monumental floral sculpture Puppy (1992) shown at Rockefeller Center and permanently installed at the Guggenheim Bilbao. Another floral sculpture, Split-Rocker (2000), was installed at the Papal Palace in Avignon, the Palace of Versailles and Fondation Beyeler.

Koons has also received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his cultural achievements. Most recently, Secretary of State Clinton recognized Koons for his participation in the U.S. Department of State's Art in Embassies program with the first-ever Medal of Art. In 2009, the Royal Academy of Arts presented Koons with the John Singleton Copley Award, Koons received The Governor's Awards for the Arts Distinguished Arts Award and President Jacques Chirac promoted Koons to Officier de la Legion d'Honneur.

Wynn Las Vegas

Wynn Las Vegas, a luxury hotel and destination casino resort located on the Las Vegas Strip features 2,716 luxurious guest rooms and suites, an approximately 111,000 square foot casino, 15 restaurants, a nightclub, spa and salon, an on-site 18-hole golf course, approximately 223,000 square feet of meeting space, an on-site Ferrari and Maserati dealership, and approximately 74,000 square feet of retail space.

Encore, an expansion of Wynn Las Vegas, opened on December 22, 2008. Encore is located immediately adjacent to Wynn Las Vegas and features a 2,034 all-suite hotel, approximately 72,000 square foot casino, 5 restaurants, 2 night clubs, a spa and salon, approximately 60,000 square feet of meeting space and approximately 27,000 square feet of upscale retail outlets.

The resorts feature an array of publically displayed art, including works by the renowned Colombian artist Fernando Botero, Raoul Dufy, Miriam Schapiro, Frank Owen, Tim Bavington, Viola Frey and Kazumi Yoshida. For additional information on the resort, visit www.wynnpressroom.com or www.wynnlasvegas.com.

SOURCE Wynn Las Vegas