Video: Sacramento art experts debate issues from choice of Jeff Koons’ downtown arena sculpture

Plans to place an $8 million sculpture by New York artist Jeff Koons in front of the Sacramento Kings’ new downtown arena has sparked spirited debate among area residents. To advance the discussion, Sacramento Bee reporter Ed Fletcher interviewed Lial Jones, executive director of the Crocker Art Museum, and Merle Axelrad, a prominent Sacramento artist. Among the questions they debate: How was the Koons’ piece selected? Should arts funding support local artists? Is this piece a good fit for this location?

Though Jeff Koons’ work has earned acclaim for grabbing the highest price paid at auction for a work by a living artist, he also has been panned by art critics. For a closer look at the controversial Koons, watch this 2012 Time magazine Q&A.

This story was originally published March 9, 2015 at 12:05 PM with the headline "Video: Sacramento art experts debate issues from choice of Jeff Koons’ downtown arena sculpture."