LACMA Secures Important “Living” Artwork by Jeff Koons
Jeff Koons is celebrated for his significant impact on pop art, evident since the 1980s through his creation of highly recognizable sculptures, including balloon animals, The Incredible Hulk, and Pink Panther figures, frequently marked by playful and humorous aspects. His artwork, “Split-Rocker,” a notable piece, stands out due to its combination of nostalgia and whimsy. Towering at an impressive 37 feet, it showcases a blend of a pony’s head and a dinosaur’s head, adorned with over 50,000 plants, giving it a cartoonish look. An internal irrigation system sustains these plants, enabling the sculpture to evolve with the seasons, reinforcing its status as both a surreal and living artwork. Recently, an artist’s proof of “Split-Rocker” was permanently secured at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), thanks to benefactors Lynda and Stewart Resnick.
LACMA’s version of “Split-Rocker,” modified with drought-resistant vegetation, is in sync with California’s climate, providing a year-round living installation in its gardens. Located in the 3.5-acre park surrounding the upcoming David Geffen Galleries, the sculpture is set to accompany a variety of artworks by renowned artists like Liz Glynn and Pedro Reyes. This addition marks a significant milestone for LACMA, highlighting public art in anticipation of the gallery’s 2026 inauguration.
Since 2000, “Split-Rocker” has adorned various esteemed sites, from the Fondation Beyeler to Rockefeller Center. The first edition now has a permanent home at the Glenstone Museum in Maryland. Michael Govan, CEO of LACMA, underlines the combination of audacity and profundity in Koons’ creations, celebrating the enriched experience it offers to visitors along Wilshire Boulevard.
LACMA intends to plant “Split-Rocker” in the summer, aiming for it to be in full bloom by the following April. Unique to Southern California’s temperate climate, it will be the sole one among four Koons flower sculptures worldwide to flourish year-round. For further information about “Split-Rocker” and the opening of the David Geffen Galleries, please visit LACMA’s [website](https://www.lacma.org/).