Jeff Koons, Apollo and the Transformation of Hydra

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In June 2023, I had the privilege of attending the handover ceremony of Jeff Koons' Apollo Wind Spinner on Hydra, following a generous invitation from Dakis Joannou and the DESTE Foundation. What might initially appear as the installation of a public sculpture was, in reality, a significant cultural moment that reflected decades of friendship, artistic collaboration, and a shared belief in the transformative power of contemporary art.

The ceremony marked the permanent gifting of Apollo Wind Spinner to the island of Hydra, ensuring that one of Jeff Koons' most recognisable recent works would remain a lasting part of the island's cultural landscape.

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Jeff Koons and Dakis Joannou: A Friendship Shaped by Art

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The relationship between Dakis Joannou and Jeff Koons is one of the most enduring collector-artist partnerships in contemporary art.

Their story began in 1985 when Joannou encountered Koons' now-iconic One Ball Total Equilibrium Tank in New York. Intrigued by the work's conceptual ambition, Joannou visited Koons' studio and subsequently acquired the piece. The purchase would prove pivotal, not only for Joannou's collection but also for the development of a friendship that has endured for nearly four decades.

Throughout the years, Joannou has remained one of Koons' most important supporters and interlocutors. Their relationship illustrates a model of collecting that extends beyond acquisition. At its best, collecting becomes an intellectual dialogue, a long-term exchange of ideas between artists and collectors who share a commitment to cultural innovation.

Today, Dakis Joannou is widely recognised as one of the world's most influential collectors, while Jeff Koons has become one of the defining artists of his generation. In 2019, Koons' Rabbit sold for $91.1 million at Christie’s, setting a record for a living artist at auction.

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The DESTE Foundation and Hydra

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Founded by Dakis Joannou in 1983, the DESTE Foundation has played a crucial role in shaping contemporary art discourse in Greece and internationally.

Over four decades, DESTE has introduced generations of audiences to some of the most important artists of our time while maintaining an openness to experimentation and new ideas. Rather than merely following established institutional narratives, the foundation has consistently sought to create new contexts for artistic engagement.

Nowhere is this more evident than on Hydra.

Through its annual exhibitions at the Slaughterhouse Project Space, DESTE has transformed the island into one of the most distinctive destinations on the contemporary art calendar. Every summer, artists, collectors, curators, museum directors and writers gather on Hydra, creating a unique environment where contemporary art can be experienced far removed from the traditional settings of museums and galleries.

The island's historic architecture, absence of cars and slower pace of life create a setting in which art feels deeply integrated into place rather than separated from it.

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Apollo: A Dialogue Between Ancient and Contemporary Art

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Originally created between 2020 and 2022, Apollo Wind Spinner occupies a unique position within Koons' broader body of work.

The sculpture combines a kinetic wind-powered element with the image of Apollo, the Greek god associated with the sun, light, music, poetry and artistic inspiration. Positioned above the DESTE Slaughterhouse building overlooking Hydra's harbour, the work welcomes visitors arriving by sea while establishing an immediate connection between ancient mythology and contemporary artistic expression.

The sculpture's rotating form recalls Koons' longstanding fascination with movement, energy and transformation. It also references earlier artistic traditions, including Marcel Duchamp's Coffee Mill of 1911, which similarly explored mechanical motion and circular forms.

At the same time, Apollo Wind Spinner engages directly with Greece's cultural heritage. The work draws upon visual references associated with the Vergina Sun, one of the most recognisable symbols of the ancient Greek world. Through these references, Koons creates a bridge between antiquity and the present, demonstrating how contemporary art can engage meaningfully with historical traditions without becoming nostalgic.

 

Public Art and Cultural Identity

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The decision to permanently gift Apollo Wind Spinner to Hydra carries significance beyond the artwork itself.

Public art has the ability to transform places. Unlike works housed within museums or private collections, public sculptures become part of the daily experience of residents and visitors alike. They shape collective memory and contribute to cultural identity.

The enthusiastic support shown by Hydra's residents ultimately led to the decision to preserve the sculpture permanently. This response speaks to the success of the project and to the growing role contemporary art plays within the island's cultural life.

For Hydra, the installation represents more than the arrival of a major artwork. It reinforces the island's position as a destination where contemporary culture and historical heritage coexist in productive dialogue.

 

A Lasting Legacy

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What makes Apollo Wind Spinner particularly compelling is that it embodies several overlapping narratives.

It celebrates the friendship between Dakis Joannou and Jeff Koons. It reflects the vision of the DESTE Foundation. It strengthens Hydra's growing role within the international contemporary art community. And it demonstrates the continuing relevance of public art as a means of creating cultural engagement beyond traditional institutions.

In an era where much attention is focused on auction results and market performance, Apollo Wind Spinner serves as a reminder that art can still create something more enduring: a sense of place, a shared cultural experience and a lasting dialogue between past and present.

Through projects such as this, Dakis Joannou and the DESTE Foundation continue to demonstrate that contemporary art can thrive far beyond the walls of museums, transforming not only how art is experienced but also how places themselves are understood.