“The Myth of Documenta--Arnold Bode and His Heirs” will be held by the CAFA starting from March 1, 2017, to March 31, 2017. As the first important cultural event celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, the exhibition will display more than 200 artworks and precious literature from the Kassel Documenta.
The Documenta is regularly held in Kassel, Germany, reflecting the history of art since the 20th century. As a platform for exhibition and discussion, Kassel Documenta can be called a weather vane in the history of aesthetics and socio-cultural progress in the west and even the broader world since the modern time.
This exhibition bears a strong connection with the Kassel Documenta and aims to spark various discussions on modern and contemporary art in the social context, especially on the fierce confrontation and controversy, transformation and expansion in its development. Besides, it also serves as a record of the history of curating and evolving concepts of art education. Today, the Documenta remains the world's most important contemporary art exhibition.
This exhibition will use a series of devices, as well as various forms of original materials such as pictures and texts, not only to present the myths of the Documenta, but also to explore the unique framework, the spirit of the given time, and important figures that made this legendary exhibition possible. It tells not only the history of this world-renowned art exhibition but also the history of different art concepts, including the evolution of its social context and the way it is embedded in the social context. As a conventional institution, the Documenta triggered a series of discussions on such major topics as discourse, globalization, and the function of art in facilitating innovation and promoting social progress. In this regard, for those who love art, be it college students or art lovers in society, amateurs or professionals, the “Myth of the Documenta” is already an exhibition of education and learning. In order to carry forward this function, our exhibition which divides the history of the Documenta into four chapters, together with other thematic exhibitions that elaborate on some individual topics, and a public education lab that integrates the history with contemporary narratives, offers the audience an overarching guidance to understand the history of the Documenta and invites them to give their feedback. As far as the inception of the Documenta is concerned, it can be said that the exhibition itself is a textbook which denotes the diligence, determination, ingenuity and perseverance of a single person. He has always been faithful to his own beliefs and mission until the moment came when he realized his dream. This man is Arnold Bode, the "father of the Documenta. In addition, the history of the Documenta also shows how an international art event emerged in a small city that was not originally an art center. Therefore, the "myth of the Documenta" basically tells the story of its founder, Arnold Bode, his hometown destroyed in the war, and his heirs.
“The Myth of Documenta--Arnold Bode and His Heirs” will be held by the CAFA starting from March 1, 2017, to March 31, 2017. As the first important cultural event celebrating the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Germany, the exhibition will display more than 200 artworks and precious literature from the Kassel Documenta.
The Documenta is regularly held in Kassel, Germany, reflecting the history of art since the 20th century. As a platform for exhibition and discussion, Kassel Documenta can be called a weather vane in the history of aesthetics and socio-cultural progress in the west and even the broader world since the modern time.
This exhibition bears a strong connection with the Kassel Documenta and aims to spark various discussions on modern and contemporary art in the social context, especially on the fierce confrontation and controversy, transformation and expansion in its development. Besides, it also serves as a record of the history of curating and evolving concepts of art education. Today, the Documenta remains the world's most important contemporary art exhibition.
This exhibition will use a series of devices, as well as various forms of original materials such as pictures and texts, not only to present the myths of the Documenta, but also to explore the unique framework, the spirit of the given time, and important figures that made this legendary exhibition possible. It tells not only the history of this world-renowned art exhibition but also the history of different art concepts, including the evolution of its social context and the way it is embedded in the social context. As a conventional institution, the Documenta triggered a series of discussions on such major topics as discourse, globalization, and the function of art in facilitating innovation and promoting social progress. In this regard, for those who love art, be it college students or art lovers in society, amateurs or professionals, the “Myth of the Documenta” is already an exhibition of education and learning. In order to carry forward this function, our exhibition which divides the history of the Documenta into four chapters, together with other thematic exhibitions that elaborate on some individual topics, and a public education lab that integrates the history with contemporary narratives, offers the audience an overarching guidance to understand the history of the Documenta and invites them to give their feedback. As far as the inception of the Documenta is concerned, it can be said that the exhibition itself is a textbook which denotes the diligence, determination, ingenuity and perseverance of a single person. He has always been faithful to his own beliefs and mission until the moment came when he realized his dream. This man is Arnold Bode, the "father of the Documenta. In addition, the history of the Documenta also shows how an international art event emerged in a small city that was not originally an art center. Therefore, the "myth of the Documenta" basically tells the story of its founder, Arnold Bode, his hometown destroyed in the war, and his heirs.
