We’ve all seen the gigantic steel kitsch sculptures that look like balloon animals. But few are aware of the love connection between famous contemporary artist Jeff Koons and his former wife, an adult film actress.
This is a story of two people who refused convention and surrounded themselves by eccentric and peculiar situations. Koons is a celebrated pop culture artist, whose wealth is valued at 500 million dollars. His work is controversial because while some art critics see him as a pioneer of contemporary art, others discredit his pieces as vain and cynical, claiming Koons is fooling all of us.
Then there’s Ilona Staller, also known as Cicciolina, a Hungarian character with several titles: adult film star, singer, and former Italian politician. Not unlike Mata Hari, Cicciolina would pass information on American diplomats to the Hungarian government.
These two personalities came together in 1990 after they both did a photography series titled Made in Heaven where Cicciolina and Koons are captured explicitly having sex. Soon after, the blonde actress became the artist’s muse and co-star of his work.
Jeff and Ilona met in 1987 at the height of both of their careers. In 1979 she had been a candidate for the Green Party and had become an elected member of the Italian parliament with the Partito Radicale. She later formed the Partito dell’Amore with fellow adult film actress, Moana Pozzi.
Koons met Staller after seeing a picture of her in German magazine, Stern. He wanted to take his picture with her for an exhibit planned at the Whitney Museum in New York. Despite her reluctance to participate, her manager convinced her, and this led to the epic project.
The results were one the most controversial art series out there. The photographs of Koons receiving or giving oral sex, as well as mid-penetration with Cicciolina led to a brief affair full of devotion and passion. They were married for two years, separated, and were divorced six years later. They had a child together, Ludwig, who was at the center of a horrible and expensive custody battle, which ended 14 years later with Koons having sole custody. The ugly proceedings got to the point where the artist almost had Cicciolina sent to prison.
Jeff was the first artist to openly embrace the marriage of art and marketing. Meanwhile, Ilona was the first woman to have appeared topless in public Italian television. Their short-lived scandalous union unleashed a series of confrontations that seemed to become a wave of publicity for the both of them.
There are several who question whether this was just a publicity stunt to boost their careers or part of an addiction for the public eye. Whether or not the artist went too far, the truth is that his exhibit at the Whitney was packed during the months it was on display.
Yet the money, entertainment, and great moments that a life of lust or fame provide can never compare with the satisfaction of finding true happiness. Those who seem to have it all, except for love, can only confirm it. Neither Cicciolina’s beauty nor Koons’ wealth were enough to buy both of them happiness.
Translated by María Suárez
