A huge installation by Jeff Koons, despite the negative reaction of Parisians, appeared in a park near the Petit Palais in 2019. The sculptor presented it to the prefecture of Paris. The monument is dedicated to the memory of the French who died during the terrorist attacks in Paris in 2015.

It took two years of numerous approvals to find a place for the composition, weighing 33 tons, that suited both parties: the French and the American outrageous sculpture. It was decided to erect the monument in a park located near the Petit Palais and the Seine embankment. As a result, the sculptor’s insistent request was complied with: he dreams of his brainchild being located in the very heart of Paris. And at the same time, the place for the monument was chosen in such a way that it would not interfere with the perspective of the Champs Elysees.

The composition was created at the request of Jane Hartley, who was the US Ambassador to the French Republic for several years. The sculpture is created from bronze, steel and aluminum. It is called symbolically – “Bouquet of Tulips”.

The bouquet is intended to symbolize America’s solidarity and friendship with France. Cost: 3.5 million euros.

The monument is made in the form of a hand holding bright flowers. It is expected that the monument will be perceived as a symbol of optimism, the ability to recover from the tragedy experienced.

Let us remember that the composition was created with private donations made by people who were not indifferent to the French tragedy that took place in 2015.