jeff koons creates a temple for apollo at the deste foundation in greece
APOLLO, A SOLO EXHIBITION BY JEFF KOONS AT DESTE FOUNDATION
Established in Geneva in 1983 by collector Dakis Joannou, the DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art is known for engaging in an extensive exhibition program that promotes emerging as well as established artists. Since 2009, the foundation has been exhibiting the world’s most renowned names in contemporary art, including Matthew Barney, Kiki Smith and Maurizio Cattelan, at its slaughterhouse-turned-art-space on the Greek island of Hydra.
Following the postponement the past couple of years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, DESTE Foundation presents Jeff Koon’s much-anticipated project Apollo. The solo exhibition will be on view at DESTE’s Project Space at the old Slaughterhouse in Hydra from June 21 to October 31, 2022.
images by Eftychia Vlachou
A TEMPLE TO ENGAGE IN A METAPHYSICAL DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE CONTEMPORARY AND THE ANCIENT
Jeff Koons: Apollo at Desde Foundation presents new sculptures by the artist along with readymade objects selected by the artist to engage the viewer in a metaphysical dialogue between the contemporary and the ancient. The show also marks over twenty years since Jeff Koons’s last solo exhibition in Greece.
Before entering, visitors are welcomed by a colossal 9.1-meter (30-foot) wide reflective wind spinner set above the Slaughterhouse. Dubbed Apollo Wind Spinner, the golden sculpture features the face of Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, art, prophecy, truth, archery, plague, healing, sun and light.
Once inside, at the center of the installation is Apollo Kithara, a polychromed animatronic sculpture that stands over 2.3 meters tall. Apollo is playing a kithara, considered to be the origin of today’s guitar. Surrounding the sculpture are ancient frescoes from Boscoreale, near Pompeii, transforming the walls of the slaughterhouse.
In Apollo, Jeff Koons has created a new temple, where art aficionados are invited to pilgrimage. The exhibition activates the senses through music, sage burning, and baked offerings reminiscent of ancient times. With the sounds of the ancient kithara playing alongside contemporary songs, the two musical formats are at times disjointed and at other moments find sublime beauty. The overall exhibition is metaphysical and celebrates human history and aspiration.
exhibition info:
name: Apollo
artist: Jeff Koons
location: DESTE Foundation
dates: 21.6.2022 – 31.10.2022
juliana neira I designboom
jul 01, 2022
