Plume Travels
An island, an art gallery: Hauser & Wirth propels Menorca to the pinnacle of the avant-garde
It's a project that has been maturing for several years in the minds of gallery owners Iwan and Manuela Wirth. A crazy project, but it's in their blood! In 2021, in Menorca off the coast of Port-Mahon on an XXS island, an extraordinary contemporary art center is born. A new branch of Hauser&Wirth, which in no time at all has become one of the most sought-after spots on the planet...
If you're going to Menorca and only need to make one cultural outing during your stay, then go here. To get to the Hauser&Wirth gallery on the Isla del Rey, head for the Port Mahon to check in on a water cab. 10 minutes later, you'll set foot on this unprecedented space, the former site of Menorca's naval hospital.
Today, the site has been transformed into a small artistic paradise in the middle of the Balearic Islands, with 1500 m2 of exhibition space extending into the outbuildings of the former hospital founded in the 18th century. All around, an enchanting garden featuring the work of renowned landscape designer Piet Oudolf, who has once again created a fascinating and delicate space. As you walk along the outdoor paths, you'll discover a host of works and sculptures, including the famous spider by Louise Bourgeois.
And because the table is also an art form, Hauther&Wirth has not forgotten to give it pride of place on the site. La Cantina, the island's cutest restaurant with its tables planted in the middle of the trees, offers a lunch break in the heart of nature. On the menu are gourmet, ultra-fresh dishes made with local produce. Nota Bene: the homemade flan is absolutely crazy, so don't let it go to waste!
Hauther&Wirth, Isla del Rey, Mahon, Minorca.
www.hauserwirth.com
