A conversation with Jeff Koons and Massimiliano Gioni at Onassis Stegi

Last November, a massive retrospective of Jeff Koons's work, called “Lost in America,” was unveiled at the Al Riwaq in Doha, featuring 60 artworks across 16 galleries. The exhibition was organized by the star curator Massimiliano Gioni, who has a long history with the artist, and has edited three books on his work.

What were the process and logistics of putting together such a comprehensive show, especially in times of Covid? How did Gioni seek to highlight Koons’ personal transformation, and the breadth and depth of his career? And how are both artist and curator continuing to adapt their work to a world buffeted by pandemics, war and other challenges?

The acclaimed artist will look ahead to what the future holds, the impact of the pandemic on fellow artists, and how culture and the creative economy can promote democratic values. Jeff Koons’ “creatures” will also meet our own “Plásmata” at Pedion tou Areos – an encounter that opens our eyes to all creatures of tomorrow, motivating us to explore Athens’ diverse artistic landscape as, on the largest park of the Athenian city center, physical places meet magical digital art.This wide-ranging conversation will be moderated by the author and New York Times culture writer Farah Nayeri, and is a public event presented in the context of the Art for Tomorrow Talks organized by the Democracy and Culture Foundation in association with The New York Times.

What connects a bisected 22-meter planet radiating a warm red glow in Greek summertime with a mirrored techno-temple nestled within the artificial vegetation of an Athens park? The discussion of Jeff Koons at Onassis Stegi will be followed by a VIP tour of the “Plásmata: Bodies, Dreams, and Data” digital art exhibition at Pedion tou Areos and a reception on-site. It is an exhibition that talks about art tomorrow, exploring the body, be it ours or the other’s; individual or collective; human, non-human, or – ultimately – planetary. Running from May 23 to July 10 at Pedion tou Areos, with 25 international pieces, 40 solar batteries collecting energy to create an artificial moon, and a huge red planet, “Plásmata” promises to entertain us but also to give us pause for thought in the Athenian summertime.