documenta Kassel

The documenta Kassel is one of the event highlights in the city. It is the world’s most important series of exhibitions for contemporary art and lasts 100 days each. This is why it is also known as the “Museum of 100 Days”. However, the documenta only takes place every five years. The next time will be in 2022.

documenta Kassel – an exhibition with history

The first documenta exhibition was held in 1955. At that time it accompanied the Federal Garden Show. In the ruins of the destroyed Museum Fridericianum, Arnold Bode, the initiator of the World Art Exhibition, together with the art historian Werner Haftmann, presented the developments in art since the early 20th century. Art that was not allowed to be shown during the Nazi era. Since that time, the documenta has undergone many changes. The changing curators each contributed their own view of contemporary art. In doing so, they have always stimulated socio-political discussions.

In the meantime, the public urban space is also being used as a venue for the documenta. Even today, the works of art continue to shape the cityscape of Kassel. They can also be experienced individually in audio tours.