The exhibition brings together two times: the contemporary with ancient Greece
Founded in Geneva in 1983 by the collector Dakis Joannou, the DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art is known for being engaged in an extensive exhibition program promoting emerging and established artists.
Since 2009, the foundation has presented the most famous names in the contemporary art world, including Matthew Barney, Kiki Smith and Maurizio Cattelan, in its once-slaughtered art space on the Greek island of Hydra.
After being postponed for the past two years due to the covid-19 pandemic, the DESTE Foundation presents Jeff Koons’ long-awaited Apollo project. The individual exhibition will be exhibited at the DESTE Project Space in the former Hydra Slaughterhouse from 21 June to 31 October 2022.
A temple of metaphysical dialogue
Jeff Koons: Apollo at the DESTE Foundation it presents new sculptures by the artist alongside everyday objects selected by the artist to involve the viewer in a metaphysical dialogue between the contemporary and the ancient. The show also marks more than twenty years since Jeff Koons’ last solo show in Greece.
Before entering, visitors are greeted by a colossal 9.1 meter reflective weather vane located above the slaughterhouse. Nicknamed Apollo Wind Spinner, the gilded sculpture features the face of Apollo, the Greek god of music, poetry, art, prophecy, truth, archery, plagues, healing, the sun and light.
Once inside, at the center of the installation is Apollo Kithara, a polychrome animatronic sculpture over 2.3 meters high. Apollo plays a kithara, considered the origin of the contemporary guitar. Around the sculpture are ancient frescoes from Boscoreale – a town near Pompeii, in Italy – which transform the walls of the slaughterhouse.
At Apollo, Jeff Koons created a new temple, where art lovers are invited to pilgrimage. The exhibition activates the senses through music, burnt sage and roasted offerings reminiscent of ancient times.
With the sounds of ancient kithara playing alongside contemporary songs, the two musical formats are sometimes disjointed and sometimes of sublime beauty. The entire exhibition is metaphysical and celebrates human history and aspiration.
* Through Designboom
Source: Terra
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