Harold Mendez; Elmina Castle, 2016; Archival pigment print transferred from color slide taken in 1999, mounted on dibond with artists’ bronze frame; 13” x 19” x 2” | 33.0 x 48.3 x 5.1 cm

Crusading The Specter is a creative response to a prevailing socio-political state of mourning and remembrance, an ever-increasing loss of societal liberties and privileges, and worldwide environmental devastation. This exhibition delves into the spatial dimension and politics of the notion of ‘a haunting,’ drawing inspiration from the concept of Hauntology as introduced by French philosopher Jacques Derrida in his 1992 magnum opus, ‘Specters of Marx.’

Hauntology emphasizes that the past is not merely a relic of bygone eras but rather an ever-present haunting force that profoundly impacts our lives. The artists featured in Crusading The Specter embark on uncovering and following traces of the past that shape our contemporary experiences and identities. Through their artistic endeavors, these artists communicate processes of grieving, yearning, recovery, and temporality, shedding light on the intricate interplay between history, memory, and the human condition.