Jeff Koons Apollo Exhibition on Hydra Island

After a two-year pandemic delay, the DESTE Foundation presents Jeff Koons: Apollo at its Project Space in the old slaughterhouse on Hydra Island, Greece. Running until October 31, 2022, the exhibition features new sculptures alongside ready-made objects, creating a dialogue between ancient and contemporary art. It marks Koons's first show in Greece in 20 years. The centerpiece is Apollo Kithara, an over 2-meter-tall polychrome animatronic sculpture of the Greek god playing a kithara, surrounded by ancient frescoes from Boscoreale (Pompeii). Outside, a reflective wind-spinner sculpture over 9 meters tall, Apollo Wind Spinner, greets visitors. Inside, ready-mades and branded objects—from Nike sneakers to a Duchamp-style urinal—guide a metaphysical journey under the Delphic maxim "know thyself." The exhibition engages all senses with kithara music, burning sage, and baked offerings. Founded in Geneva in 1983 by collector Dakis Joannou, the DESTE Foundation has previously hosted works by Matthew Barney, Kiki Smith, and Maurizio Cattelan at the Hydra space since 2009.