After its exhibitions at the Palace of Versailles and Rockefeller Center, renowned artist Jeff Koons’ iconic floral sculpture Split-Rocker is set to find a permanent home at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). This masterpiece is expected to open to the public in 2026, becoming a new art landmark for Los Angeles. Donated by collectors Lynda and Stewart Resnick, this monumental work will soon be relocated to the front of the new David Geffen Galleries, playing a crucial role in the museum’s expanded outdoor public art program.
Split-Rocker carries on Jeff Koons’ signature cartoonish style and playfulness. The artist ingeniously combines two children’s toys — a rocking horse and a dinosaur — cutting them in half and merging them together. Inside the sculpture’s metal framework are about 50,000 native succulent plants, tubers, and annuals. To bring Split-Rocker to life and configure the planting, the LACMA team has been preparing for years, with Koons collaborating with the museum to invite local horticultural experts to select drought-resistant plants suitable for Southern California’s arid climate. Planting for Split-Rocker is set to kick off this summer, with hopes to see it in full bloom by April next year.
This permanent installation undoubtedly adds a brilliant highlight to the Geffen Galleries designed by architectural maestro Peter Zumthor. The exhibition space will house LACMA’s permanent collection and spans both sides of Wilshire Boulevard, covering a total area of 3.5 acres. Artists such as Diana Thater, Mariana Castillo Deball, Liz Glynn, and Pedro Reyes will showcase their works in succession. Meanwhile, Kamasi Washington will lead a hundred-piece orchestra at the 110,000 square foot Geffen Galleries from June 26 to 28, delivering an extraordinary performance.
With the expansion of LACMA, Jeff Koons’ Split-Rocker will become a new landmark in Los Angeles art, drawing the attention of all art enthusiasts.
