Deste Foundation Explores Gen X Art in New Survey Exhibition
The Deste Foundation in Athens has opened "Gen X: Tales from the Forgotten Generation," a survey exhibition featuring nearly 50 artists born between 1960 and 1980. Drawn entirely from the Dakis Joannou Collection, the show examines how economic precarity, the valorization of slacker culture, and a rejection of ambition shaped the work of this cohort. It also considers the impact of global events such as the Challenger explosion. The exhibition positions Gen X artists as having slid under the radar of generational discourse, a fact that aligns with their detachment from mainstream narratives. Despite this, artists born in this period have become some of the most powerful in the world, reshaping how we view bodies, media, and irony. The show is on view this summer in Athens.
Key facts
- The Deste Foundation in Athens opened "Gen X: Tales from the Forgotten Generation."
- The exhibition surveys nearly 50 artists born between 1960 and 1980.
- All works are drawn from the Dakis Joannou Collection.
- The show explores economic precarity, slacker culture, and rejection of ambition.
- It also addresses global events like the Challenger explosion.
- Gen X has been overlooked in generational conversations.
- Artists born 1960–1980 have reshaped views on bodies, media, and irony.
- The exhibition is on view this summer in Athens.
Entities
Institutions
- Deste Foundation
- Dakis Joannou Collection
- DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art
- New Museum
Locations
- Athens
- Greece
- California