The Guggenheim Museum presents one of 2025's most anticipated exhibitions with Rashid Johnson's "A Poem for Deep Thinkers," a comprehensive retrospective that transforms the museum's iconic spiral into an immersive journey through contemporary art's most compelling voices. This groundbreaking show showcases Johnson's powerful exploration of Black identity, cultural heritage, and artistic innovation across multiple mediums, from monumental sculptures to intimate performances that invite deep reflection and community connection. This exhibition is on dispaly until January 2026.
Who Is Rashid Johnson?
Rashid Johnson stands as one of contemporary art's most influential figures, creating works that challenge conventional boundaries while addressing urgent questions about identity, belonging, and cultural memory. Born in 1977 in Chicago, Johnson emerged in the early 2000s as a leading voice in what critics call the "post-black" art movement, which moves beyond traditional representations of African American experience to explore more complex, nuanced perspectives.
Johnson's artistic practice spans photography, sculpture, painting, film, and performance, often incorporating unconventional materials like shea butter, black soap, and wax. His work has been featured in major museums worldwide, including the Whitney Museum, MoMA, and the Art Institute of Chicago. The artist's ability to weave personal narrative with broader cultural commentary has earned him recognition as one of his generation's most important artists, making this Guggenheim retrospective a significant moment for contemporary art.
Inside "A Poem for Deep Thinkers"
"A Poem for Deep Thinkers" represents Johnson's most ambitious museum presentation to date, conceived specifically for the Guggenheim's unique architecture. The exhibition takes its title from Johnson's belief that art should provoke contemplation and encourage viewers to engage with complex ideas about race, identity, and human experience. The show spans the museum's entire spiral ramp, creating a continuous narrative that unfolds as you ascend through different chapters of Johnson's artistic evolution.
The exhibition draws inspiration from Johnson's own experiences navigating different cultural spaces, from his childhood on Chicago's South Side to his education at prestigious institutions like Columbia University. This personal journey informs the broader themes of cultural code-switching, self-care, and the search for authentic identity in a complex world. Johnson describes the exhibition as a meditation on what it means to think deeply about one's place in society while maintaining hope and resilience.
Standout Works You Can't Miss
The exhibition's crown jewel is "Sanguine," a monumental installation that dominates the museum's top ramp. This site-specific work features a massive gridded steel structure filled with living plants, books, and a piano, creating a greenhouse-like environment that speaks to growth, knowledge, and artistic expression. The installation invites you to consider the relationship between nature and culture, while the piano serves as a focal point for occasional performances.
At the rotunda's base, Johnson has installed a sculptural stage that transforms the museum's central space into a dynamic performance venue. This platform hosts live music, spoken word performances, and community conversations throughout the exhibition's run, blurring the lines between visual art and live experience. You can expect an exhibition that feels alive and constantly evolving, with scheduled performances adding new layers of meaning to the static artworks.
The exhibition also features Johnson's signature "Anxious Red Paintings," large-scale works that combine abstract painting with found objects like books, plants, and household items. These pieces reflect Johnson's exploration of anxiety and healing, using red as both a color of danger and vitality. Photography series from throughout his career document the artist's ongoing investigation of Black masculinity and domestic space, while recent film works, including a 2024 piece also titled "Sanguine," offer intimate glimpses into Johnson's family relationships and personal history.
Themes of Identity and Belonging
Johnson's Guggenheim retrospective reflects his broader artistic mission to create what he calls "empathy machines" – artworks that help you understand different perspectives and experiences. The exhibition demonstrates how Johnson's practice has consistently addressed the complexities of Black identity in America, moving beyond simplistic representations to explore the full spectrum of African American experience, including joy, vulnerability, success, and everyday life.
The artist's use of materials carries deep cultural significance throughout the exhibition. Shea butter and black soap, common in African American households, appear as both sculptural elements and symbols of self-care and cultural preservation. Books scattered throughout installations reference Johnson's belief in education and intellectual engagement as tools for personal and social transformation. These material choices reflect Johnson's commitment to honoring Black cultural traditions while pushing contemporary art into new territories.
The exhibition also showcases Johnson's exploration of space and belonging, particularly his interest in how Black bodies navigate predominantly white institutions and spaces. This theme resonates powerfully within the Guggenheim's setting, as Johnson transforms the museum into a space that centers Black experience and invites you to engage with questions of privilege, access, and cultural representation.
Plan Your Visit
When visiting the Guggenheim Museum, plan for at least two hours to fully experience Johnson's retrospective. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., with extended hours until 8:00 p.m. on Saturdays. The exhibition includes both scheduled and spontaneous performances, so check the museum's website for the most current programming schedule.
The Guggenheim's spiral design means the exhibition unfolds gradually as you ascend, creating natural rest points where you can pause and reflect. The museum provides benches throughout the ramp, and the central atrium offers excellent views of the installations from multiple angles. Audio guides are available in multiple languages and include commentary from Johnson himself, providing valuable insights into his artistic process and the exhibition's themes.
For accessibility, the museum offers wheelchairs and has elevator access to all floors. The Guggenheim's café on the ground level provides a comfortable space to discuss and process the exhibition experience. Consider visiting during weekday mornings for smaller crowds and a more contemplative experience, especially given the exhibition's emphasis on deep thinking and reflection.
Visit Nearby Attractions
The Guggenheim's prime Upper East Side location puts you within walking distance of several other cultural treasures. Central Park sits directly across Fifth Avenue, offering a perfect complement to your museum visit with its peaceful landscapes and outdoor art installations. The park's Conservatory Garden provides a beautiful space for reflection after experiencing Johnson's thought-provoking works.
Just a few blocks south, the American Museum of Natural History presents an entirely different but equally enriching cultural experience. This world-renowned institution houses everything from dinosaur fossils to planetarium shows, making it an ideal second stop if you're interested in exploring multiple facets of human knowledge and creativity. The museum's permanent collections provide fascinating context for Johnson's exploration of cultural memory and scientific understanding.
Both Central Park and the American Museum of Natural History are easily accessible by subway or on foot from the Guggenheim, making it simple to create a full day of cultural exploration in Manhattan's museum district.
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Header Image David Heald © SRGF, NY, Courtesy of Guggenheim Museum