For the first time in its
more than 60-year history, documenta, the world's most important contemporary
art exhibition, is taking place at two locations: in Kassel and in Athens. Its
slogan is: Learning from Athens!
But what can you actually
learn from Athens? From a city trapped between frustration and despair,
paralysis and rage? From a city that needs so much and is now getting a major
exhibition from Germany?
Curator Adam Szymzcyk wants
to shine a light on an increasingly complex world from different angles: from
Kassel in West Germany – the “rich north” - and from Athens in the
crisis-ridden south, the most exciting place he knows right now.
And indeed: Nowhere else are
the great challenges facing Europe clashing head-on to the extent they are in
the Greek metropolis. For eight years, the inhabitants have been ground down by
the economic crisis and the government’s strict austerity policies. The state
is vastly overstretched. And this is the place where an art exhibition is
supposed to set new energies free?
So does Athens really need
documenta? And does documenta really need Athens? Our documentary immerses
itself in the Greek capital, its changing history and its complicated present,
asks questions about the hopes engendered by the exhibition and looks at the
risks inherent in a project like this – in a place more famous for its ancient
ruins than for its contemporary art. We talk to the people behind documenta, to
politicians and to people from the independent art scene who are responding to
the crisis with surprising creativity and even standing up for the refugees
flooding the city.
For 100 days, Athens will
host documenta – but art isn’t the only theme of this event. This world
exhibition also wants to take on the great crises of this age – war,
displacement, exploitation and colonialism.
What is the point of art in
these turbulent times? Will documenta really succeed in breathing new life into
the city of Athens, opening up new perspectives? What will be left when the art
caravan moves on after 100 days? Each artist has his own answer. The 14th
documenta will be more than just an art exhibition – it will be a seismograph
of our times.
http://www.dw.com/en/documenta-14/a-38284464
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