Jeff Koons Unveils A ‘Greek Temple’ With Never-Before-Seen ‘Apollo’ Artwork

Will this be a worship site for art lovers?

With his new installation set on the Greek island of Hydra, Jeff Koons has transformed the Slaughterhouse art space into his idea of a Greek temple. The Deste Foundation for Contemporary Art brought the installation, which features new sculptures and a colorful mosaic atmosphere.

On his return to Greece after 20 years, Koons brought sun and light to a new exhibit on the island of Hydra. On the roof of the slaughterhouse is one of the more eye-catching pieces, a sculpture of the sun. The 30-foot sculpture has the face of Apollo and its rays spin in the wind. Named the Apollo Wind Spinner, it catches the eye of any wandering villager or tourist as it stands golden against the torrid Greek summer sky and the Aegean sea.  

Once inside, the previously plain stone interior has been turned into a temple bursting with color as the floors are patterned with mosaic tiles and the walls are lined with frescoes from the city of Boscoreale, Pompeii. In the center of the sanctuary stands the Apollo Kithara, a 7.5-foot painted statue of the god playing the kithara which was known to possibly be the origin of the guitar. The perfect companion to the god of music, art, truth, and sun. As he plays, an animatronic snake slithers up his instrument. 

Placed on a table outside are a urinal, a bicycle wheel, and a collection of watches in the artist's version of an altar to Apollo or—more likely—to fellow artist Marcel Duchamp. A pair of bronze Nike shoes is also on display in the temple.  

Koons’ Greek temple welcomes guests with burning incense, goats, a young man loitering around the premises in ancient Greek clothing, and the promise of ingenuity. The ‘temple’ was kept a secret for two years and will be on display until October 31, 2022.  

[via Cultured and Greek Reporter, cover image via Deste Foundation]