Mired in evolving controversy, Documenta 15 has raised critical questions about transparency, accountability and creative freedom. Emily McDermott travels to Kassel to explore how an edition filled with social practice art urges active participation an...
Mired in evolving controversy, Documenta 15 has raised critical questions about transparency, accountability and creative freedom. Emily McDermott travels to Kassel to explore how an edition filled with social practice art urges active participation and throws global power structures into sharp reliefPhotography: Nils Klinger
‘What did the ocean say to the beach? Nothing. It just waved.’ So said an artist sitting across from my assistant in the Fridericianum, a museum in Kassel, Germany. On the wall behind them hung a handwritten sign reading ‘Free Dad Jokes.’ After the joke, we sat down across from another artist. As she sketched us, we perused books about events organised in Indonesia by Hysteria, the collective the artist is part of.
This was an event organised by educational platform Gudskul, and one of more than 35 events happening the weekend we were in town to see Documenta 15 – a quinquennial exhibition in central Germany that draws international and regional crowds and is known for curatorial positions that reflect or even predict the zeitgeist. Unlike previous editions of Documenta, the artistic director appointed for 2022 was a collective, ruangrupa, rather than an individual curator.
Meanwhile, in one room on the ground floor, three dancers were giving an improvised performance, soundtracked by live djembes , part of a programme hosted by the Mali-based Fondation Festival sur le Niger. Next to them stood a giant sphere made from and surrounded by clay bricks. This backdropped a proverbial path to an ‘office’ installed in an adjacent room.
Documenta fifteen: Fondation Festival sur le Niger: Amaichata Salamata & Mama Koné & Djoulaye Samuel Coulibaly & Tieble Traoré, Activation of the Maaya Bulon: Storytelling and Dancing, Live Playing/ Storytelling, Hübner areal, Kassel, June 3, 2022.As is often the case at Documenta, a number of noteworthy projects are also located in Karlsaue, a state park.
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Father pays tribute to keen Yorkshire footballer, 15, who died in Lake District fallThe father of a 15-year-old boy who died in a fall in the Lake District has paid tribute to his “sidekick” and “life partner” son.
Read more »
Tragic and 'loving' Leeds boy, 15, killed in motorbike crash is namedThe teenager sadly died on Sunday after his motorbike hit a lamppost on Temple Newsam Road
Read more »
Pokémon Go adds major new feature to tempt you out for a 15-minute walkThere's a big new addition to Pokémon Go today, named Daily Adventure Incense. This free item will refresh each …
Read more »
Heartbroken dad mourns loss of son, 15, who died in tragic Lake District fallThe dad of a 15-year-old boy who died in a tragic fall in the Lake District has paid tribute to his “sidekick” and “life partner” son.
Read more »
Mum find's daughter, 14, dead at home and boyfriend, 15, is arrestedA 15-year-old boy allegedly murdered his 14-year-old girlfriend who was discovered by her mum, in her family’s home.
Read more »
Tributes paid to 'loved' 15-year-old following death in motorbike crash on Temple Newsam RoadTributes have been paid to the 15-year-old who died in a motorbike crash on Temple Newsam Road last night.
Read more »