George Condo: The Mad and The Lonely at DESTE Foundation Hydra

The DESTE Foundation has just opened “The Mad and the Lonely,” an evocative exhibition of works by renowned artist George Condo. Set against the backdrop of DESTE’s Project Space, a former slaughterhouse on the enchanting island of Hydra, the exhibition runs from June 18th to October 31st, 2024. This unique show features a selection of small-scale paintings and sculptures from Condo’s illustrious career, offering a poignant exploration of marginalized souls suspended between madness and loneliness.

ART

Condo’s works are a contemporary homage to the tradition of portraiture, portraying characters that society has cast aside. These figures, victims of their own inner turmoil, are depicted in an abstract, humanoid style that is distinctly Condo’s. His unique approach, termed “Psychological Cubism,” dissects and reconstructs these characters, presenting a simultaneous array of emotional states. This technique is evident in works such as “Woman with Bear” (1997), where the principles of Cubism are reimagined to convey complex psychological landscapes.

The exhibition also features notable sculptures like “Lunatic” (2009) and “Renegade” (2009), alongside portraits such as “Don Rodrigo” (2010) and “The Jester” (2019). These pieces draw inspiration from masters like Velázquez and Rembrandt, showcasing deformed, grotesque figures with exaggerated features that blur the line between figuration and abstraction.

While Condo’s cast of characters is purely fictional, they resonate deeply with the social anxieties and psychological complexities of our times. His portraits act as mirrors reflecting the volatile nature of human emotions and the fragile state of the human psyche, offering both a psychological investigation and an empathetic critique of modern life.

For this special installation, Condo integrates elements of ancient polychromatic Greek painting with minimalistic sculpture, creating a novel and immersive experience. The exhibition’s setting in the Slaughterhouse amplifies its impact, with wild animal-like sculptures and haunting portraits juxtaposed against multicolored walls. This intimate, thought-provoking display encourages viewers to confront the frenetic realities of contemporary existence through a direct engagement with Condo’s fragmented characters.

Hydra, with its blend of ancient and modern elements, serves as a fitting backdrop for “The Mad and the Lonely.” The island’s mythical charm and paradoxical nature echo the dualities present in Condo’s work—beauty and grotesque, humor and drama, comedy and tragedy, joy and despair. These contrasts coexist harmoniously, creating a rich tapestry of human experience that resonates deeply with the themes explored in the exhibition.

“The Mad and the Lonely” promises to be an unforgettable journey into the depths of human emotion, challenging visitors to reflect on the intricacies of the human condition. The exhibition is open from June 18th to October 31st, 2024, at DESTE Foundation’s Project Space in Hydra.