Jeff Koons' "Split-Rocker" is a monumental sculpture that showcases the artist's fascination with the interplay between dichotomy and unity, as well as his interest in blending high art with popular culture. The sculpture, which stands over 37 feet tall and features over 50,000 flowering plants, represents a split and recombined form of two children's toy rockers—a pony and a dinosaur. This fusion creates an almost Cubist aspect to the composition, further emphasized as the sculpture scales to the size of a small house, transforming the split into an opening, a profile, and a light shaft (Public Art Fund).
Introduced to the public at various prestigious venues, including its notable display at Rockefeller Center in New York City and its permanent installation at Glenstone in Potomac, Maryland, "Split-Rocker" is constructed from stainless steel, soil, geotextile fabric, and includes an internal irrigation system to support the live plants that cover its surface. The choice of plants—begonias, geraniums, petunias, and fuchsias, among others—is a critical aspect of the work, contributing to its vibrant and ever-changing appearance from May through October (Jeff Koons) (Glenstone).
Koons describes "Split-Rocker" as differing from his earlier work "Puppy" in that it's designed as a shelter, inviting engagement and exploration. The sculpture's interior, revealed to select viewers during its unveiling, comprises hoses, pumps, and beams that support an intricate watering system necessary for the flowers' survival. For Koons, this juxtaposition of external beauty with the hidden mechanics of sustenance speaks to themes of life, death, and the control exerted over nature. He reflects on the balance between control and surrendering control to nature, finding beauty in this polarity (Artnet News).
"Split-Rocker" not only draws attention for its sheer scale and the technical prowess required for its creation but also for its playful and imaginative spirit. It connects viewers to childhood wonder while simultaneously engaging with historical art movements and the technological advances of the twentieth century. The sculpture has been featured in several exhibitions and retrospectives, underscoring Jeff Koons' status as a pivotal figure in contemporary art (Jeff Koons).