Neon, founded by the patron and businessman Dimitris Daskalopoulos and one of Greece’s most influential arts organisations, is winding down after 14 years “having fulfilled its cultural and social mission”, says a statement.
Between 2012 and 2026, Neon presented 44 exhibitions across various locations including museums, historical sites, and public urban spaces, unveiling 105 commissioned works by Greek and international artists.
Neon has also donated works to archaeological sites; RULE II (2019) by British sculptor Antony Gormley became the first contemporary work to be permanently installed at an ancient site when it was given to the island of Delos last year.
Installation view Antony Gormley's RULE II at Delos
Photography © Maria Maraki; Courtesy Neon, Ephorate of Antiquities of Cyclades and the artist
In 2020, Neon provided funding of €1.4m for the renovation of the Lenorman Street Tobacco Factory in Athens; the historic building was converted into a cultural centre which opened in 2021 and was handed back to the Hellenic Parliament at the end of 2022. Neon has also invested €6m in grants and scholarships.
Neon will present its final project—the third show in a series entitled Michael Rakowitz & Ancient Cultures—later this year. Chicago-based Rakowitz has already presented two Neon projects at the Acropolis Museum; the trilogy will conclude with a new commission at the Old Acropolis Museum on the Acropolis Hill. The shows are presented in partnership with the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
Michael Rakowitz's Lamassu of Nineveh (2018), part of Michael Rakowitz & Ancient Cultures at the Arcropolis Museum in 2025
Photography © Natalia Tsoukala. Courtesy Neon and the Acropolis Museum
Daskalopoulos says in a statement that Neon was born in 2012 in the middle of an economic and social crisis, with the aim of making the “challenges and inspirations of contemporary art” accessible to the wider public in Greece.
“Acting as a cultural institution without a building, it connected art and community and placed contemporary artists in conversation with the public through uncharted locations and ancient archaeological sites,” he says, praising the leadership of Neon director Elina Kountouri.
“It is because of our success that we have decided to wind down operations, confident that the knowledge, networks and infrastructure that Neon created will continue to benefit Greece's cultural environment,” Daskalopoulos adds.
Dimitris Papaioannou's Sisyphus / Trans / Form (2019) presented at Portals in 2021, organised by NEON and the Hellenic Parliament at the former Public Tobacco Factory
Photography © Julian Mommert; Courtesy Neon and the artist
Daskalopoulos made his fortune in the Greek food industry and is the founder and chairman of Damma Holdings, a financial services and investment company. Asked about his future plans, a spokesperson says that Daskalopoulos is funding the construction of a new arts building at Athens College called the D.Daskalopoulos Arts Building, which is due to open in June next year.
“He will also continue to finance ‘diaNEOsis’, a non-profit research based think tank based in Athens as well as the individual curatorial posts in museums that he has already committed to,” adds the spokesperson. These include the Daskalopoulos senior curator, international art (Africa, Asia & Middle East) post at Tate.
Asked previously why he has no plans to open his own museum, Daskalopoulos said: “There was no other consideration for me… I think it’s a wise move because a collector has a responsibility to the collection, the artists and the works—you cannot just leave them in your will or in a warehouse. We are nomadic. It was never an option to create a structural foundation or museum of my own.”
