George Condo‘s latest works are highlighted in DESTE Foundation‘s The Mad and the Lonely exhibition which is running until October 31, 2024. Situated in the island of Hydra in Greece, the DESTE Foundation’s space was once a a slaughterhouse and now sets the stage for Condo’s exploration of society’s outcasts.
Though fictional, Condo’s characters mirror modern psychological and societal turmoil. For DESTE, he mixes ancient Greek techniques with his distinct style, producing a haunting fusion of minimalistic sculptures and wild figures. The slaughterhouse, once used for animal slaughter, adds an eerie layer to the exhibition, amplifying the themes of madness and isolation.
Condo’s series of works capture fragmented, often grotesque figures on the brink of madness and isolation. Drawing from Renaissance to Pop Art, his practice revolves around “Psychological Cubism,” blending multiple emotional states into distorted forms. His famed works such as Woman with Bear (1997) and sculptures such as Lunatic (2009) reflect the instability of human emotions.
Hydra, with its blend of ancient and modern, complements Condo’s art. The island’s beauty contrasts with the grotesque, humor with tragedy which is imbued in his practice. The Mad and the Lonely confronts these contradictions head-on, offering a raw look at a fractured society.
DESTE Foundation Project Space, Slaughterhouse
Epar.Od. Mandrakiou-Molou
Idra 180 40
Greece
