Question the Wall Itself

Question the Wall Itself examines ways that interior spaces and décor can be fundamental to the understanding of cultural identity. The multimedia exhibition showcases work by 23 international, multigenerational artists who explore the political and social dimensions of interior architecture as well as its complicated relationship to history and their own backgrounds. The show presents a breadth of pieces conceived as rooms—from the anteroom, prison cell, and living room to the library, showroom, and garden. Through the artists’ examinations of such spaces—both public and private—the contexts of these environments are revealed. Featured in the exhibition, which includes several new commissions, are works by Jonathas de Andrade, Uri Aran, Nina Beier, Marcel Broodthaers, Tom Burr, Alejandro Cesarco, Marc Camille Chaimowicz, Theaster Gates, Ull Hohn, Janette Laverrière/Nairy Baghramian, Louise Lawler, Nick Mauss, Park McArthur, Lucy McKenzie, Shahryar Nashat, Walid Raad, Seth Siegelaub, Paul Sietsema, Florine Stettheimer, Rosemarie Trockel, Cerith Wyn Evans, Danh Vo, and Akram Zaatari.

The exhibition takes as its guiding principal what Belgian artist and poet Marcel Broodthaers termed “esprit décor,” a critique of ideas of nationality, the effects of globalization, and the space of the institution through constructed interior scenes. Recasting our conception of interior space and design, the works on view exist between artwork, prop, and set or stage.

The Walker-produced catalogue will include an extensive photographic walk-through of the installations as well as contributions from the participating artists, expanding the material in the form of a book-as-exhibition and capturing the show’s site-specific nature.

Curators: Fionn Meade with Jordan Carter