Squatting proudly in the lobby of 51 Astor Place (down the street from me), Koons' Red Rabbit (2005-2010) can now be seen (albeit through locked see-through doors and probably shatter proof windows) and dwarfing two anxious looking bodyguards in the background. It really looks like a balloon but actually it is described as 'mirror-polished stainless steel with transparent color coating', height 14 feet tall and weighing 6,600 pounds.
I have not seen a sitting Koons Rabbit before. I like the character portrayed here, proud as can be, as opposed to the numerous other long Dog examples I have seen that communicate playfulness, the last one I heard, an Orange one, selling at Christies for $58 million dollars.
Reportedly, the work is in the collection of Edward J. Minskoff, whose equity company erected the 13-storey, Astor Place 430,000 square-foot building, and will remain indefinitely. Rents here are as high as $115 per square foot. The new building hosts IBM offices and is rumored to be holding out for Twitter as a tenant.
