April 17, 2017: Continuing on the legendary collaborations it has had with artists such as Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Stephen Sprouse, Cindy Sherman, Olafur Eliasson and Daniel Buren, luxury brand Louis Vuitton has now worked with the New York-based artist, Jeff Koons, to create a new range of bags and accessories to be launched on April 28.
One of the most widely recognised figures in contemporary art, Mr Koons has brought imagery from his long-standing ‘Gazing Ball’ paintings – a series of large-scale hand-painted reproductions of works by the Old Masters – to a range of Louis Vuitton products. His re-creations of masterpieces by da Vinci, Titian, Rubens, Fragonard and Van Gogh have been transposed on to iconic Louis Vuitton bags such as the Speedy, the Keepall and the Neverfull. Louis Vuitton has employed the most advanced techniques and craftsmanship to faithfully reproduce the artworks on the canvas of the bags.
By re-presenting these celebrated pieces on Louis Vuitton bags, Mr Koons invites viewers to consider these works anew, opening the museum to the world and encouraging to experience the Old Masters in novel ways. Each bag is boldly emblazoned with the name of the original artist whose work is re-presented.
Mr Koons has also reconfigured the Louis Vuitton monogram to bear his initials. This represents a radical departure for the House, which has never previously allowed its iconic pattern to be reshaped. Elements from this new monogram have been crafted by Louis Vuitton in metal and placed on the exterior of the bag, as has Mr Koons’ own signature. Each bag also carries a tag in the shape of the inflatable rabbit which is an enduring motif in Mr Koons’ work throughout his 40-year career, while a biography and portrait of the Master whose work has been referenced is featured on the inside of the bag.
This spring’s launch represents the first stage of the collaboration between Louis Vuitton and Jeff Koons. Further chapters will be announced in an ongoing project that celebrates the possibilities of connection through the history of art.
