George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely at Deste Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra

George Condo with "The Mad and the lonely" at DESTE Foundation (Slaughterhouse) Hydra Greece Island, awaits you between June 18th and October 31st, 2024

George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely at Deste Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra
George Condo presents a standout exhibition as the summer highlight at the Deste Foundation's Slaughterhouse Project Space, Hydra Island, Greece.
george condo, installation view, deste foundation hydra greece, slaughterhouse, best exhibition during summer 2024
Deste Foundation, Greece (formerly a slaughterhouse), 2024: 'The Mad and the Lonely,' a must-see exhibition by artist George Condo, is currently on view at Hydra Island. Image Munchies Art Club Magazine.
george condo sculpture showcased in deste foundation gallery
Deste Foundation, Greece (formerly a slaughterhouse), 2024: 'The Mad and the Lonely,' a must-see exhibition by artist George Condo, is currently on view at Hydra Island. Image Munchies Art Club Magazine.
george condo, exhibition view, merging classical and modern styles.
George Condo's art transcends time, blending psychological depth with vivid expressionism. | Photo: Ernst Koslitsch

George Condo: Spectacular Show at Deste Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse this Summer

george condo art exhibition at deste foundation
George Condo: Installation View of 'The Mad and the Lonely' | Photo by Dominique Foertig

Every summer, as the scorching Greek sun bathes the Aegean Sea in its golden light, we embark on our annual pilgrimage to the enchanting Island of Hydra.

This rocky paradise, with its car-free streets and mules transporting everything that can't be carried by man, transforms into a vibrant hub of contemporary art, drawing creators and connoisseurs from around the globe.

This year, the island's artistic pulse beats stronger than ever, with a trio of unmissable exhibitions that captivate and inspire.

Our artistic journey begins with Dimitrios Antonitsis' thought-provoking School Projects 2024, a testament to the island's commitment to nurturing young talent.

Next, we'll lose ourselves in the labyrinthine creativity on display at The Carpet Factory, where history and innovation intertwine.

Artistic Heritage at the Old Carpet Factory on Hydra Island
“The Warp of Time” exhibition at the Old Carpet Factory on Hydra Island, celebrating 100 years of heritage with works by Helen Marden and Dimitrios Antonitsis, curated by Ekaterina Juskowski.

More Shows During the Summer: Carpet Factory Hydra Greece

But the crown jewel of this summer's offerings awaits us at the former Slaughterhouse – a once-grim space now reborn as a sanctuary for cutting-edge art.

george condo's striking portraits at deste foundation
George Condo's captivating piece on display at the DESTE Foundation Hydra, blending vivid colors and emotional expression. | Photo: Ernst Koslitsch

Thanks to the support of Dakis Joannou, whose dedication to contemporary art is legendary, we have the extraordinary privilege of witnessing George Condo's latest masterpieces.

George Condo in Conversation with Massimiliano Gioni | DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art | Athens | Greece

Hydra News: George Condo in Conversation with Massimiliano Gioni | Deste Foundation

"The Mad and the Lonely," hosted by DESTE Project Space, transforms the former Slaughterhouse into a realm where George Condo's distinctive style – a mesmerizing blend of the grotesque and the sublime – reigns supreme from June 18 to October 31.

This exhibition is a highlight not just of our Hydra sojourn, but of the entire contemporary art calendar.

The Mad and the Lonely Exhibition by George Condo

Step into "The Mad and the Lonely," an exhibition that features a selection of George Condo's small-scale paintings and sculptures, encapsulating his diverse career.

The artworks depict society's outcasts—individuals caught between madness and isolation—with Condo's unique style transforming these abstract, unsettling forms into eerily human depictions.

His art merges Renaissance richness with Pop Art's vividness, creating a distinctive visual language that challenges traditional portraiture and modernist norms.

"Psychological Cubism," his signature technique showcased in "Woman with Bear" (1997), portrays subjects through emotional states rather than physical forms. Additional works like "Lunatic" (2009) and "Renegade" (2009), and portraits such as "Don Rodrigo" (2010) and "The Jester" (2019), highlight his ability to fuse contrasting emotions within a single frame.

These pieces, both grotesque and captivating, blur the lines between representation and abstraction, inviting viewers into the complex psychological landscapes of his characters.

George Condo: Master of "Psychological Cubism"

George Condo, born in 1957, is a pivotal figure in contemporary American art. His "Psychological Cubism" blends classical techniques with pop art sensibilities, producing portraits that echo the complexities of modern existence.

george condo's evolving techniques displayed at deste foundation
George Condo: The Satyr, 2009 Courtesy The Satyr, 2009 -> Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth | Photo: Ernst Koslitsch

His fragmented, exaggerated figures serve as mirrors to our societal contradictions and personal turmoil.

Drawing influences from Picasso to Goya, Condo's unique voice continues to evolve, pushing past established artistic boundaries to challenge both observers and himself.

george condo's influential artistry at deste foundation
George Condo on view at the DESTE Foundation Project Space Slaughterhouse, Hydra | Photo: Ernst Koslitsch

Through his ongoing evolution, he not only reaffirms his role as a key contemporary artist but also as a visionary redefining portraiture.

His work, capturing the absurd, the macabre, and the deeply human, marks him as one of the most influential artists of our era.

Additonal Infos about the Exhibition at Deste Foundation Hydra Island Greece

The DESTE Foundation Project Space on Hydra Island, Greece, is a contemporary art exhibition space housed in a renovated former slaughterhouse.

DESTE Foundation for Contemporary Art | Athens | Greece

Deste Foundation with more infos

Since 2009, it has hosted annual summer exhibitions featuring site-specific installations by invited artists, serving as a unique venue for contemporary art in a historic setting

must see shows, at DESTE Foundation, greece, hydra island 2024
DESTE Foundation (formerly Slaughterhouse) Hydra Greece ( Apollo Windspinner -> Detail) Photo: Ernst Koslitsch

The space retains elements of its original identity while providing a distinctive platform for showcasing modern artistic expressions.


PRACTICAL INFO

Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra
Duration: 18.6.2024 - 31.10.2024
Opening Hours Daily: 11:00-13:00 & 19:00-22
Closed Tuesdays (exception: open on Tue., June 18)

Follow DESTE Foundation´s Instagram for more insights.

Hydra Island Greece: From Apollo To ‘Dream Machines’ The Island Hydra’s Artistic Transformation
Discover with Munchies Art Club Magazine current exhibition “Dream Machines” at Slaughter House Project Deste Foundation Hydra Island, Greece

Deste Foundation 2023 Exhibition