Documenta – where art is at

What's new? And who's hot? Every five years the Documenta in Kassel - one of the world's biggest contemporary art exhibits - is a good indicator of the latest trends in the contemporary art scene. The event started back in the 1950ies to revive cultural life in this industrial town which was devastated during World War II. This year's 12th edition of the Documenta has cost 19 million Euros to stage and is expecting more than 650.000 visitors before it closes its doors in September. Network Europe reporter Barbara Gruber joined the vast army of art lovers from across the globe and came back with these impressions.

How does it feel when you can THINK words in your mind -- but your lips are unable to form them and your voice fails to communicate them? I HATE - that's the title of Imogen Stidworthy's installation which introduces us to a photographer who lost his speech in an accident six years ago. Slowly and with a lot of effort - he's re-learning to speak with a speech therapist... His sounds mirror images on screens -- contrasting perfect architectural city shots the photographer took before his accident, with images of chaotic construction sites he focused on after loosing his speech.

The aim of Imogen Stidworthy’s exhibit is to question the meaning of life. That’s a major theme of this year’s Documenta. Visitors are also encouraged to reflect on whether modernity is our antiquity? And what is to be done? These questions sound rather abstract but artistic director Roger Bruegel says they provide food for thought - both for the artists AND the public.

"What's important for me, is to make sure people understand that they don't need much knowledge to appreciate contemporary art. Because they carry the resources to understand art within themselves. When art triggers something in you, seduces you... the second step is to ask WHY? ... It's not the other way around, you don't need education or a specific knowledge, before you can understand or appreciate art."

And with more than 500 works from 113 artists here at the Documenta there is plenty of artwork to trigger debate... Globalization - with all its positive and negative consequences is a recurring thread.

Documenta mirrors globalization

Possibly one of the most powerful exhibits is a big boat made of plastic fuel canisters by Romuald Hazoumé, an artist from Bénin.

"This boat is made of a total of 421 canisters, symbolizing the many African people who choose to board these boats to leave their countries. But if you look close, you see that these canisters are not closed. And you know that these boats and the dreams they're carrying with the clandestine passengers are bound to fail and sink."

Annette Schryen is a guide and art historian from Berlin who's moved to Kassel for the duration of the exhibit. Against the backdrop of the boat she points to a beautiful landscape photograph - seven meters long, two meters high - a holiday paradise with palm trees, white sand and crystal blue water.

"I long for holidays when I see this picture. Using an image that could be from a travel-catalogue is not a coincidence. While we’re drawn to destinations like this, many people who live in places like this want to leave."

But do the visitors understand the paradoxical messages?

"I'm impressed. I think it's very strong political impressions here and statements - about colonization in the world and Africa and how the Third World artists can express themselves. So I think that's what has taken me."

"MY impressions? Pretty bad. I guess I'm a bit disappointed by contemporary art in general. I have the impression the artists these days don't really know where things are heading. There are lots of artworks here at Documenta which are supposedly very politicized... but I don't think it's the artists' role to underline things that everybody already knows. I think it should be more about suggesting new things - new ways to reflect about ourselves, but not just tell us the world is bad, and just pin some articles to a wall saying there's war in Africa, or that we're stupid and that we're going to destroy the world. This is not moving things forward..."

"I preferred the past Documentas. They were a bit more upbeat - just nicer. A lot is dark and depressing at this Documenta. All the works of artists from Africa and other parts of the Third World - of course they should express themselves and trigger discussions - but frankly it's depressing, and I would have liked to have a bit more fun going through this Documenta."

And yet there are surprises - and people who seem to have fun at the Documenta.

”It looks like a scandal here….My name is Ai Weiwei, an artist selected for the Documenta."

1001 Chinese in Kassel

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei has dispatched 1001 of his country men to Kassel - students, workers, police, artists. Their mission: strolling through the city in little groups. The massive live artwork is called Fairytales - a homage to the Grimm Brothers, who also happen to be former Kassel residents. But why did Ai have to bring so many Chinese?

”So many? It’s not many, in China, you know… it’s very little!”

The artist says his living exhibit builds bridges between East and West - one person at a time. And yet if you do get a glimpse of them, they'll more likely be in a group, than on their own. Our guide Annette again.

"You do see groups of Chinese all throughout the city - but you never really know if they belong to the 1001 Chinese - or whether they're simple tourists."

Because the 1001 Chinese have merged into the city life of Kassel, you probably won't spot any of them in the exhibition spaces. Ai Weiwei has therefore symbolically marked their presence over the 5 Documenta sites with antique Chinese chairs – 1001 in total, of course. They also serve a practical function. At the end of your art marathon, these chairs provide a welcome opportunity to rest, reflect and review the day.

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