About the Exhibition
The Hauser & Wirth gallery on Illa del Rei, Maó, opened a new group show called “Directionless” this Friday. The exhibition gathers twenty‑eight artists from ten different countries, all responding to the feeling of living in uncertain times. Curated by Rashid Johnson, the show was put together with help from Firelei Báez, Charles Gaines and Cristina Iglesias.
What Does “Directionless” Mean?
Rashid Johnson explained that the title captures the sense of moving without a clear path—living in a world full of suspension, ambiguity, opacity and fragmentation. Instead of trying to give viewers a single answer, the works invite personal reflection, opinion‑forming and even a bit of inner conflict.
The Curators’ Vision
Johnson thanked his collaborators for reaching out to the other artists and building a “polyphonic structure,” meaning many voices speaking together. He encouraged everyone at the opening—visitors and artists alike—to share their sensibilities with the pieces on display.
Artists and Their Works
The show features a diverse lineup:
- Lyle Ashton Harris
- Firelei Báez
- Yto Barrada
- Georg Baselitz
- Claire Chambless
- Ali Cherri
- Rineke Dijkstra
- Latifa Echakhch
- Teresita Fernández
- Mirdidingkingathi Juwarnda Sally Gabori
- Charles Gaines
- Todd Gray
- Alteronce Gumby
- Mona Hatoum
- Hugh Hayden
- Leslie Hewitt
- Hanna Hur
- Cristina Iglesias
- Rashid Johnson
- Michael Joo
- Sigalit Landau
- Hannah Levy
- Julie Mehretu
- Joiri Minaya
- Wangechi Mutu
- Lorna Simpson
- Rayyane Tabet
- Meg Webster
Highlighted Pieces
“When Angels Speak of Love” by Julie Mehretu explores how art can be opaque—viewers are invited to feel rather than decode.
“Ghost Complex” by Claire Chambless plays with archaeology, time and memory, linking the artwork to the layers of history on Illa del Rei.
Lyle Ashton Harris contributes a work that maps identity through race, sexuality, homophobia and memory, using earlier artworks as reference points.
Rashid Johnson presents a painting based on a photo of a woman at a Catalan independence protest, capturing the explosion of collective energy and personal legacy.
Lorna Simpson displays fifty small‑format photographs of people of color from the 1940s United States, a quiet meditation on memory and representation.
Themes Explored
The exhibition weaves together several ideas that feel especially relevant today:
- Archaeology and the passage of time – how objects and layers tell stories.
- History and memory – personal and collective recollections.
- Materiality and nature – interest in rocks, sunlight and the physical world.
- Identity – race, gender, sexuality and belonging.
- Orientation in space – finding direction when everything feels uncertain.
Visitor Experience
During the opening, gallery director Mar Rescalvo and Rashid Johnson greeted guests, emphasizing that the show is not about giving easy answers. Instead, it invites viewers to sit with discomfort, share opinions and let the art spark conversations—both with others and within themselves.
Conclusion
“Directionless” at Hauser & Wirth Menorca captures the mood of our times through a chorus of voices from around the globe. By blending personal narratives with broader historical and natural themes, the exhibition offers teens and adults alike a space to question, feel and connect—without needing a clear map to follow.
Images Credit: www.menorca.info