The exhibition
FOLLOW THE LEADERS
Follow the Leaders is an installation by Isaac Cordal that provides a powerful commentary on the current state of our societies, the excesses of capitalism and the environmental threat. A sculptural floor ensemble features miniature effigies of men in suits and ties grappling with some kind of catastrophe. Impotent and impassive, the figures sink into the rubble of urban disintegration, gradually engulfed in a ruined landscape.
The scene is intended to reflect the paralysis of bureaucratic structures and the inaction of political leaders, while underlining the conformity and general apathy of the masses in the face of the threat of imminent collapse. The dark humor of the title amplifies the critique of government passivity and the absurdity of the capitalist system's empty promises. By denouncing collective inertia, the work calls for the awareness and mobilization needed to face tomorrow's challenges.
Presented on the floor of Galerie 2, the installation creates a winding passageway through the ruined landscape. Conceived in situ, it integrates the gallery's architectural elements, notably the raw material of the stone walls. The artist's proposal continues outdoors in the surrounding streets with the public art trail Cement Eclipses.
INTERVIEW WITH THE ARTIST
ABOUT THE ARTIST
ISAAC CORDAL
The sculptural installations of Spanish artist Isaac Cordal question contemporary humanity. With commitment, he denounces the power imbalances and dynamics of oppression that underpin the era of capitalism and the Anthropocene. Often, his ephemeral installations are destined to disappear. Photographic documentation allows their traces to be preserved.
THEMATIC PROGRAMMING 2025
ART ON THE EDGE OF CHAOS
For its 2025 program, EXMURO's Aire publique becomes the stage for artistic explorations in which humans are subjected to the powerful impulses of natural forces. Works by Pipilotti Rist (Switzerland), Isaac Cordal (Spain) and Martin Bureau (Quebec) subvert norms and reinterpret our assumptions, confronting the insidious forces of capitalism, patriarchy and the climate crisis. Sharing critical visions of the world, the three artists invite us to become collectively aware of the urgency to act, and remind us that every collapse holds the promise of renewal.
PARTNERS
The EXMURO public area is supported by the Royal Square Enhancement and Animation Fund, administered by the Museum of Civilization.
