Menorca
After the Mediterranean
2 Apr – 29 Oct 2023

The exhibition presents a group of artists, many of whom originate from, work within or in relation to territories bordering the Mediterranean—including Spanish, Albanian, French Moroccan and Lebanese artists. They present existing and new works, the latter created through a residency program taking place in Menorca over the winter often in collaboration with local makers such as ceramicists and weavers. A public program runs alongside the exhibition, engaging learning institutions, local organizations and communities, as well as the general public. 

‘After the Mediterranean’ conjures a diverse series of futures to address ideas around the human and ecological crises that currently impact the region. The exhibition questions the idea of the Mediterranean as it has been—and continues to be—articulated: as a gentle, sunny sea; as an idyllic region with an equally tranquil way of life; as a place where cultures could coexist, trade and move around in harmony—in line with the tradition of critical thinking relying upon the work of historian Fernand Braudel.

‘Through their practice, the artists in the exhibition confront this legacy with the problems that have arisen from the current climate emergency, from post-colonialism and the Arab Spring, from successive migrations and the policies that prevent free movement across this sea,’ says Oriol Fontdevila.

At the same time, ‘After the Mediterranean’ introduces new thoughts and stories that testify to the human capacity to tackle the region’s challenges.

Oriol Fontdevila (b. 1978 Manresa, Spain) is a curator, writer and art researcher. He was curator of Catalonia’s presentation in the 59th Venice Biennale in 2022, organized by the Institut Ramon Llull. He has curated exhibitions at Casal Solleric, Palma; Centre d’Art Fabra i Coats, Barcelona; Fundació Joan Miró, Barcelona; Fundació Antoni Tàpies, Barcelona; and Museum of Contemporary Art Vojvodina, Novi Sad. Fondevila was a member of the curatorial team of the European project ‘Performing the Museum,’ and part of Sala d’Art Jove’s management team. He has been a guest professor at various master’s degrees and study programs and he taught on the Design degree at EINA and on the Fine Arts degree at UOC. In 2018, Fontdevila published a book of essays titled ‘El arte de la mediación’ (Consonni, 2018).

Photo: Violeta Mayoral

‘After the Mediterranean’ is on view now through 29 Oct 2023 at Hauser & Wirth Menorca. The art center is open Wed – Sun, 10 am – 4 pm.