HIPPO (Green) 1999

Curator: Talk about simplicity! Jeff Koons' "HIPPO (Green)" is like looking at a giant, verdant thought bubble, isn't it? Editor: Indeed. The flatness and the singular color really compress the form. It's a graphic statement, boldly occupying space. Curator: It makes me think about the power of suggestion. It's not *really* a hippo, but our brains fill in the gaps and conjure up a friendly, cartoonish image. Editor: Semiotically, it's quite fascinating. The signifier – the green shape – prompts us to access our pre-existing cultural knowledge about hippos. Curator: And that particular shade of green! It's playful, almost artificial, yet somehow comforting. A bit like childhood memories filtered through pop art. Editor: The interplay between the organic form and the manufactured finish is what holds my attention. A testament to Koons' skill in manipulating perception. Curator: It’s hard not to smile looking at it, isn’t it? Editor: An odd mix of primal form and Pop sensibility, it certainly offers a fresh, yet somewhat unsettling, visual experience.