RxArt Unveils Works by Jeff Koons at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital

Written by Linda Sizemore Wednesday, 06 July 2011 20:29

CHICAGO, IL.- RxArt, the non-profit organization that curates contemporary art installations in hospital settings, and Kiehl’s Since 1851, the venerable New York-based purveyor of fine quality skin and hair care, have partnered to bring the artwork of Jeff Koons to Chicago’'s Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital. Kiehl’s underwrote the fabrication and installation of works by world-renowned pop artist Jeff Koons on a CT Scanner and throughout the scanner room at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital for RxArt. As a result of this project, Koons’ iconic characters will find a permanent home in the hospital’s radiology department, to soothe and cheer young patients and brighten the typically sterile and potentially scary testing environment.

To create the installation the CT Scanner was disassembled and painted, and decals featuring Koons’ Monkeys were applied to the machine. His iconic Balloon Dog, Hanging Heart, and Donkey imagery were also installed to brighten the room as wallscapes. Koons generously donated his artwork and took no fee for his participation in this project.

RxArt is a non-profit organization that commissions fine works of contemporary art in hospitals in the United States. The organization came to Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital at the urging of Richard E. Heller, III, M.D., the hospital’s Chief of Pediatric Radiology. A father and contemporary art collector, Dr. Heller learned of RxArt’s programs, and contacted the organization to see if they could initiate a project for his patients.

“We are positively thrilled to bring the artwork of one of today’s finest contemporary artists to Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital, and grateful to Kiehl’s, whose sponsorship afforded us the opportunity to work with Mr. Koons,” said Diane Brown, President and Founder of RxArt. “Jeff’s generosity and support of this project has been unprecedented, and we are honored that he is collaborating with us to help entertain and relieve the stress and anxiety of Chicago’s young patients.”

Kiehl’s has supported RxArt since the organization’s inception, and in 2009, donated approximately $80,000 to the organization through a number of initiatives. For the 2009 holiday season, Kiehl’s raised both funds and awareness for the organization through a Limited Edition Creme de Corps Holiday Collection, from which 100% of the net profits were donated to RxArt. The labels on the Limited Edition bottles were designed by New York-based, internationally renowned artist, KAWS. To further support the organization, Kiehl’s also created a crayon set – also designed by KAWS – that was sold to accompany RxArt’s annual “Between the Lines” fund-raising coloring book.

“Since Kiehl’s beginnings, it has been our mission to always give back to the communities in which we do business, and to do our part to be a socially responsible citizen,” said Chris Salgardo, President, Kiehl’s USA. “RxArt comforts children during their most stressful, often frightening circumstances, and it is our honor to support such a worthwhile organization, put smiles on these children’s faces, and help bring art into their young lives.”

“We are also honored to be working with an artist of Mr. Koons’ caliber, helping to expose his works to Chicago’s youth,” Salgardo continued. “We hope that this is only the first of many collaborations with this incredible artist.”

Jeff Koons
One of the foremost internationally recognized contemporary artists of our time, Jeff Koons earned renown for his iconic sculptures such as Rabbit (1986), Michael Jackson and Bubbles (1988) and 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 Palace of Versailles in the summer of 2008; the first time the esteemed location opened its doors to a living artist. Koons’ work is showcased in the public galleries of the most highly-regarded museums around the world and he has received numerous awards and honors in recognition of his cultural achievements. Most recently, the Royal Academy of Arts presented Koons with the Wollaston Award and the John Singleton Copley Award and President Jacques Chirac promoted Koons to Officier de la Legion d’Honneur. A staunch supporter of many philanthropic causes leading to creation of The Koons Family Institute, a resource of the International Centre for Missing and Exploited Children, Jeff is also a lover of nature spending time at his family farm in Pennsylvania.

RxART
RxArt, a non-profit organization, is committed to fostering artistic expression and awareness through the challenging yet rewarding task of engaging young patients through contemporary art in pediatric hospitals. By curating installations in hospital settings, RxArt provides a humanistic and creative surrounding that helps to relieve stress and anxiety, while increasing appreciation for contemporary art. Kiehl's Since 1851 has been supporting RxArt since 2002. For more information on RxArt visit www.rxart.net.

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