Whitehot at "The Mad and the Lonely" - George Condo at DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse Hydra, Greece

Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

By NOAH BECKER July 13, 2024

George Condo is one of the iconic artists of art history. On my own personal level, as an artist and maker of paintings, I've followed Condo's work for many years. This was my first time in Greece and the show at DESTE Foundation Project Space on Hydra Island did not dissapoint. You can imagine that art and wine are changed by their settings - but in this case the setting was also changed by the art. So without sounding like a travel writer, I can give you my impression of Greece. Specifically Hydra; an intoxicating place that set an iconic tone for this exhibition and the events of the week as they unfolded.

The Mad and the Lonely opening on Hydra was the highlight of the trip which included several days in Athens. Myself and Whitehot advising editor Carson (of  Not For Them NYC fame) were there with our host, top international art collector Dakis Joannou. It was a schedule of openings and parties in Athens and on Hydra presented by DESTE Foundation. Also notable and worth mentioning was the Maria Joannou exhibition at The Breeder in Athens, a show of enigmatic figurative paintings masterfully made. She is an artist worth watching...

Adding to the fun and festive environment were notable art world figures amongst the crowds of onlookers at the Condo opening on Hydra and at Dakis' brunch in Athens.

Among the attendees were: Jeff Koons, Dana Schutz, Martin Parr, Jeffrey Deitch, Andras Serrano, Fawn Rogers, Philip Cobert, Cindy Sherman, Maurizio Cattelan and Condo himself - there meeting art enthusiasts, collectors, art dealers and curators from far and wide. WM

Here are some images from The Mad and The Lonely... WM

Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

 

George Condo, The Triumph of Insanity, 2008 Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis 

Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

George Condo, The Mad, 2024 Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

 George Condo, The Triumph of Insanity, 2008 (detail) © George Condo, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis

George Condo, The Lunatic, 2009, Installation view, George Condo: The Mad and the Lonely DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse, Hydra © George Condo, courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth Photo: Giorgos Sfakianakis