The picturesque Greek island of Hydra, home to collector and industrialist Dakis Joannou’s DESTE Foundation Projectspace Slaughterhouse Hydra, welcomes the art world’s international jet set crowd each summer. For those lucky enough to snag a coveted invitation, the foundation’s annual party is a natural next stop for those traveling from last week’s Art Basel fair.
Roberto Cuoghi’s performance at the opening of “Putiferio” at the DESTE Foundation Projectspace Slaughterhouse Hydra. Courtesy the DESTE Foundation.
This summer, in addition to its “The Equalibirists” exhibition (June 17–September 10, 2016) of work by emerging Greek and Cypriot artists at Athens’s Benaki Museum (organized with New York’s New Museum), the DESTE Foundation has tapped Roberto Cuoghi to create its annual site-specific exhibition at the Projectspace.
Roberto Cuoghi’s performance at the opening of “Putiferio” at the DESTE Foundation Projectspace Slaughterhouse Hydra. Courtesy the DESTE Foundation.
The show is titled “Putiferio,” which means “stink” or “ruckus” in Latin, and according to the exhibition description “may also signify chaos or a small taste of hell.”
To that end, there’s plenty of fire and brimstone, as Cuoghi has created a number of different kilns, including a volcanic-looking number perched on the edge of a cliff, overlooking the sea.
Roberto Cuoghi’s performance at the opening of “Putiferio” at the DESTE Foundation Projectspace Slaughterhouse Hydra. Courtesy the DESTE Foundation.
The resulting work is made from materials as varied as wood, newspapers, raw clay, and custom-blended mixes of proteins and yeast, shaped into strange crab sculptures and other curious objects.
Guests at the show’s opening celebration witnessed a live performance from Cuoghi, who braved the flaming hot ovens to create additional sculptural works.
Roberto Cuoghi’s performance at the opening of “Putiferio” at the DESTE Foundation Projectspace Slaughterhouse Hydra. Courtesy the DESTE Foundation.
The Italian artist’s installation may push the envelope in a country dealing with serious concerns, but that’s no surprise coming from Joannou. “When people ask how I define DESTE’s program,” wrote Joannou, as quoted by Vulture, “I respond that I do whatever I want.”
Here’s an Instagram-based run down on the festivities in Hydra, where guests have been enjoying everything from a fabulous Greek-style barbecue (the foundation is located inside a former slaughterhouse, after all) to views of Joannous’s yacht, Guilty, painted by his good friend Jeff Koons.
“Putiferio” will be on display at the DESTE Foundation Projectspace Slaughterhouse Hydra, Greece, June 21–September 30, 2016.