7000 Eichen — documenta. (7000 Oaks — documenta.)

Arnold Bode — known as the man who initiated the documenta; less well known for his private life or his...

Arnold Bode — known as the man who initiated the documenta; less well known for his private life or his work as an artist and designer, as an interior architect and urban planning visionary — studied art in Kassel; 1930, seminar for handicraft teachers in Berlin; banned by the Nazis from practising his profession; 1947, co-founder of the Werkakademie. His life thereafter was shaped by the documenta. Sylvia Stöbe has compiled the memories of family members and contemporary witnesses for this biography.

As director of the New National Gallery in Berlin, Werner Haftmann's most important task was to rebuild a collection of...

As director of the New National Gallery in Berlin, Werner Haftmann's most important task was to rebuild a collection of modern art after its suppression under the Nazi regime. In 1955, 1959 and 1964 he was director of the documenta. This book contains speeches and essays in which Haftmann explores the relationship between society and the role of the artist. In the second part,

Haftmann looks at the modern art of fellowtravellers such as Paul Klee, Georges Braques and Max Beckmann.

This book provides an overview of the world's most important temporary exhibition of contemporary art. The documenta shows all important...

This book provides an overview of the world's most important temporary exhibition of contemporary art. The documenta shows all important art styles and aesthetic innovations. The documenta’s more than 60 years of history correspond to the story of spaces – social, political, cultural and communal spaces. That history also helps elucidate the history of curating and the development of art education.

Using text and images, this book presents 70 works from the history of the documenta, which became milestones of art...

Using text and images, this book presents 70 works from the history of the documenta, which became milestones of art in the second half of the 20th century and the early 21st century. The author conveys the most important characteristics of the selected art works and traces the profiles of outstanding artistic personalities in their time. In addition, information about the people who ran the exhibitions and their concepts provides insights into the documenta as an institution.

Architecture and urban planning have always been a theme at the documenta, ever since the first exhibition in 1955. This...

Architecture and urban planning have always been a theme at the documenta, ever since the first exhibition in 1955. This book examines the documenta exhibitions from 1955 to the present day, in this context. Some 27 positions on architecture and urban development are discussed and reflected upon as examples, in the context of the respective curatorial stances taken at the exhibitions. These investigations are complemented by interviews with various documenta stakeholders.

This publication places the history of the documenta in the context of Federal Germany’s political, cultural and socio-historical development over...

This publication places the history of the documenta in the context of Federal Germany’s political, cultural and socio-historical development over the second half of the 20th century. From 1955, the documenta provided insights into contemporary artistic trends and Zeitgeist, in a process that repeatedly re-negotiated West Germany’s self-image. Progressive and regressive political tendencies stood side by side from the very beginning.

Documenta 8 in 1987 marks the last time the Fridericianum was used as the central building. For the first time,...

Documenta 8 in 1987 marks the last time the Fridericianum was used as the central building. For the first time, art was presented within an exhibition of architecture that held equal status. The architect as artist in the midst of an exhibition of visual art. Documenta 11 in 2002 was decentralised. This art historical investigation of the scenography, based on the examples of the 1987 and 2002 documentas, reconstructs the space used for the exhibitions.

The documenta of 1955 is still considered a milestone in exhibition history. For 65 days in the Museum Fridericianum, Arnold...

The documenta of 1955 is still considered a milestone in exhibition history. For 65 days in the Museum Fridericianum, Arnold Bode, Werner Haftmann and their team of curators presented paintings, graphic art, sculpture and architectural photography by 148 artists. More than 134,000 visitors viewed an exhibition that is still staged every five years, with a changing concept. This book brings together key contemporary texts and archival material on the subject.

The purpose of the documenta Foundation – founded in 1964 – was to replicate works of art donated by participants...

The purpose of the documenta Foundation – founded in 1964 – was to replicate works of art donated by participants in the documenta, as a means of raising additional funds. Around 90 works by internationally renowned artists were sold at documenta 3 and documenta 4. Until the 1970s, the proceeds from these sales facilitated important areas of the documenta. This book explains the Foundation's impact, it illustrates the replicas and reconstructs a successful model of cultural financing.

In 2002, documenta 11 took up the challenge of expanding its one-sided, Western and linear approach to art history, to...

In 2002, documenta 11 took up the challenge of expanding its one-sided, Western and linear approach to art history, to include long-neglected artistic positions from all around the world. This was presented as a multidisciplinary concept. Drawing on a number of the artistic strategies, this book shows the extent to which the artistic confrontations with real problems are related to

globalisation.

Fritz Winter, one of Germany’s most important abstract painters, founded the ZEN 49 group with Rupprecht Geiger, Willi Baumeister and...

Fritz Winter, one of Germany’s most important abstract painters, founded the ZEN 49 group with Rupprecht Geiger, Willi Baumeister and others. His contributions to the first three documenta exhibitions made him a figurehead in the postwar abstract art scene. This book’s numerous illustrations and texts highlight Winter's position in the post-war abstract art scene, as well as his central importance for the early documenta history.

The photograph of Wilhelm Lehmbruck's statue "Kneeling Woman" in the rotunda of the Fridericianum is considered an icon of the...

The photograph of Wilhelm Lehmbruck's statue "Kneeling Woman" in the rotunda of the Fridericianum is considered an icon of the first staging of the documenta in 1955. Among German artists, Lehmbruck was one of the first to use materials that were innovative at the time, such as terracotta, cast stone or cement, and stucco, in addition to traditional materials like bronze and marble. This book makes it possible for the first time to directly compare the varying forms of his most important sculptures.

David Hockney was a participant in the 1968 documenta. The topic of homosexuality became visible there for the first time,...

David Hockney was a participant in the 1968 documenta. The topic of homosexuality became visible there for the first time, when one of his homoerotic etchings was given its own page in the exhibition catalogue. Pop artist, painter of modern life, landscape painter, virtuoso of colour, explorer of images and perception – for six decades Hockney has been finding new ways of exploring the world and new ways of representing it, using, among other things, multi-perspective Polaroid collages and iPad drawings.

Gilbert & George were represented at documentas 5, 6 and 7. In their performances, they appear wearing suits in traditional...

Gilbert & George were represented at documentas 5, 6 and 7. In their performances, they appear wearing suits in traditional British style. In the 1960s, in the harmony of their movements, gestures and language, they expanded the concept of sculpture as "Living Sculpture". Since then, they have found ever newer variations for their artistic work, as a means of illuminating the context of social life. This volume, which marks half a century of their partnership, brings the reader closer to the duo.

"The 2000 Sculpture" by Walter De Maria is one of the largest indoor floor sculptures in the world. It consists...

"The 2000 Sculpture" by Walter De Maria is one of the largest indoor floor sculptures in the world. It consists of 2,000 pieces of white plaster, all the same size but with different numbers of edges. This feature results in a constantly changing overall view of the work when the pieces are placed on the floor in a specific pattern. The surrounding space, the changing light conditions throughout the day, and the respective viewpoint of the observer underscore these changes.

In 1973 Joseph Beuys founded the Free International University with Klaus Staeck, Georg Meistermann and Willi Bongard. This was intended...

In 1973 Joseph Beuys founded the Free International University with Klaus Staeck, Georg Meistermann and Willi Bongard. This was intended to let people develop their creative potential and think through the questions of a social future. At documenta 6, Beuys held 13 workshops within that framework. Visitors could ask the artist questions. Not only did Beuys give spoken answers, he also covered many panels with drawings, diagrams and thoughts. These panels are the basis of this book.

The Kassel-based photographer Dieter Schwerdtle photographed documenta artists such as Richard Serra, Jonathan Borofsky and Ilya Kabakov. Schwerdtle's photos of...

The Kassel-based photographer Dieter Schwerdtle photographed documenta artists such as Richard Serra, Jonathan Borofsky and Ilya Kabakov. Schwerdtle's photos of the "7000 Oaks" project in 1982 have shaped the common image of Beuys to this day. Besides the portraits, there are views of the exhibitions from documentas 5 to 11, with their surprising, sometimes hidden perspectives of actually well-known works that subvert their customary reception.

The late 1950s and 1960s saw a series of happenings by the artist duo Allan Kaprow and Claes Oldenburg. The...

The late 1950s and 1960s saw a series of happenings by the artist duo Allan Kaprow and Claes Oldenburg. The author describes the dialogue – at times controversial – between the two about the direction of the happenings and modern art in general. Staged during the tensions of the Cold War and a growing unease with the way society was developing, the happenings found innovative ways to challenge traditional definitions of art.

At 21 years old, Jean-Michel Basquiat was the youngest artist to participate in the documenta in 1982. He first appeared...

At 21 years old, Jean-Michel Basquiat was the youngest artist to participate in the documenta in 1982. He first appeared on the New York art scene in the late 1970s. As that underground milieu, with its street art, hip-hop, post-punk and DIYfilmmakers, forced itself into the mainstream, his painting attracted a great deal of attention. His collaboration with Andy Warhol began in 1983. When he died at the age of just 27, he was one of the most successful artists of his time.

Isa Genzken was represented at the documentas of 1982, 1992 and 2002. She became famous at documenta 7, with her...

Isa Genzken was represented at the documentas of 1982, 1992 and 2002. She became famous at documenta 7, with her ellipsoids and hyperbolos made of colourfully painted wood. This book features sculptures, computer prints, sets of drawings, photography and film. Genzken mixes conceptual approaches with personal themes; many works that initially appear abstract become recognisable at second glance as traces of her own existence, telling of personal relationships.