Jeff Koons has been telling Artspace about his new edition Flag II, 2024, which he created exclusively for the Democracy Matters Benefit Auction being hosted on Artspace. You can buy Flag II, 2024 here, and you can register here now to bid on artworks in the auction NOW. There is no buyer's premium for the auction.
Flag II, 2024 is available in an edition of 40 and is an archival pigment print with trim size: 23 5/8 x 42 3/16 inches and image size: 20 5/8 x 39 3/16 inches. The work is signed by Jeff Koons on the front, lower right.
We asked Koons how he got involved with the the Democracy Matters Benefit Auction. This is what he said:
"I became involved based on the relationships formed from the Joe Biden Victory Fund 2020 with Nora Halpern (the curator of the Democracy Matters auction). I share a common belief with Democracy Matters in supporting a just, fair, and inclusive democracy. I hope the auction provides economic support so these values can be achieved."
Flag II, 2024 is the second time Koons has created a flag edition for a political cause. The first time was for the Joe Biden Victory Fund in 2020. We asked him what it is about the flag that makes it such a powerful image for him and what it represents for him.
"Both times I used a mylar balloon image for its brightness, excitement and enthusiasm, the reflective surface and color," Koons said. "The flag to me represents the values of our nation. These values represent not just one party, but all Americans."
Leading contemporary artists are donating works to the Democracy Matters Benefit Auction, an online and in person auction launching on Artspace September 24 and running until midnight October 1.
As well as Jeff Koons, the auction features work by a diverse group of artists including Ed Ruscha, Barbara Kruger, Jenny Holzer, Cindy Sherman, Lawrence Weiner, Alexis Rockman, Hank Willis Thomas, Jeffrey Gibson, Walter Robinson, Christine Sun Kim, Fred Tomaselli, Glenn Ligon, Sarah Sze, Ross Bleckner, and more.
Three new limited edition prints have been commissioned and created for this auction by Koons, Walter Robinson, and Fred Tomaselli. These are already available to buy NOW.
A new Ed Ruscha drawing, One Reason, 2024, which was made specially for the auction, will be available for online pre-bidding and transferred to live bidding on the evening of October 1st. Interest in bidding on this work during the live auction should be submitted via email to advisor@artspace.com, and our team will be delighted to assist.
Proceeds from the auction will benefit Democracy Matters, a community of pro-democracy donors and activists. You can see the full inventory of works here and you can read our in depth story about the auction, featuring artwork descriptions and quotes from those involved here.
If you want to join in the bidding you should register here now. There is no buyer's premium for this auction.
Since its inception, Democracy Matters has hosted over a dozen conferences, nearly 200 weekly webinars, and has united more than 1,500 donors and activists who are committed to strengthening and protecting our democracy. The Democracy Matters Benefit Auction will help fill the critical funding gaps of American Bridge, Media Matters, The American Independent, and other progressive organizations.
Head to the Democracy Matters Benefit Auction page now, and if you want to register to bid you can do that here now. Remember, there is no buyer's premium for this auction.