Contest #761 – Jeff Koons “Puppy”, Museo Guggenheim de Bilbao, Spain

This 13 meter high floral sculpture of Koons’ West Highland Terrier was designed and built in 1992 for display in Germany. After touring Germany, The US, and Australia, it ended up at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao as part of its permanent collection.

In 1997, just before the museum opened, three members of the Basque terror group ETA disguised as gardeners planted flower pots filled with grenades which they planned to throw at King Juan Carlos as he attended the inauguration ceremony.

The attack was foiled by Jose María Aguirre, a local policeman, who was shot dead as the three made their escape. The square where Puppy sits was later named in Aguirre’s memory.

US Industrialist Peter Brant comissioned Koons to recreate the Puppy for his estate in Connecticut.

Those who found this good boy before the hint:

• Graham Hedley
• hhgygy
• Lighthouse
• Martin de Bock
• Paul Voestermans
• Garfield
• Eloy Cano
• Phil Ower
• Andreas Meister
• Bas van Limpt
• Heidi Ibrahim
• Tamas Ny

And after the hint:

• David Kozina