Documenta11_Press Release 15.07.2002

[Christina Carlberg]

Press Release

Kassel, July 15, 2002 - MM

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, dear colleagues,

As of July 8, 2002, the fifth platform of Documenta11 is open to the
public, and more than 200,000 visitors have attended Documenta11 since
its successful opening weekend.

The national and international press has commented in multifaceted
responses on the exhibition: Financial Time Deutschland declares that "a
theory-heavy show was to be expected from the political science scholar
Okwui Enwezor", and as the Kunstzeitung notes, "expectations were rather
low, due to the world-wide theorization prior to the fifth
documenta-platform." "All Politics, little Art", states the L. A. Times.
Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, however, comments that "the explosive
potential of this documenta lies in its progressive conservatism.
Documenta11 does not rely on fun, shock and sex, commercialism and
advertisement. It does not bank on innovation, on youth and star cult,
and on frivolous flavors of the day." And the Neue Zürcher Zeitung
added: "With almost every work, the trend becomes a certainty: art makes
a statement, highlights contexts, provides awareness, and turns the
individual into a ‘allégorie réelle’." The tageszeitung states: "The
great debates of the feuilleton this summer circle around one center,
which neither as a constellation of conflict nor as a reservoir of
emphasis is particularly new: it is about art and culture and their
relation to politics." And the Kunstzeitung summarizes: "A big surprise,
that deserves the highest honors! A major exhibition that everyone
should definitely see!" BBC News follows this judgment: "This year’s
exhibition has broken new boundaries since Kassel art scholar and
painter Arnold Bode started Documenta in 1955."

The discussion around Documenta11 makes clear that everyone who wants to
get an overview and insight should come and see the show themself and
come to an own conclusion. Two additional reasons to come to Kassel are
the film program and the guided tours of the Visitor Service, that
provide an introduction into the deeper connections of the topic.

The Visitor Service offers the possibility to visit the exhibition
accompanied by a guide and advises visitors in their planning of their
visit to Documenta11. In addition to group tours, which can be reserved
in advance (in 12 foreign languages), daily One-hour tours for the
spontaneous visitor or for informal groups as well as introductory
lectures are offered. These lectures provide an overview over the
platforms 1 to 4 and the concept and details of the exhibition. Every
exhibition venue is presented through selected artistic examples.

At the Bali-Cinema in the Kulturbahnhof, Documenta11 presents a
challenging and in the history of documenta uniquely extensive film
program. Until September 15, 2002, films by Documenta11 artists
presented elsewhere in the exhibition with films, videos, and
installations, are shown. "These screenings are intended to extend the
audience’s understanding of artists they encounter elsewhere in
Documenta11" (Mark Nash, Co-Curator Documenta11).

Among others, the premieres of the films Atanarjuat (The Fast Runner) by
the Canadian-based Igloolik Isuma Productions, The Other Side by Belgian
filmmaker Chantal Akerman, A Night of Prophecy by New-Delhi-based
filmmaker Amar Kanwar, and Ticket to Jerusalem by Palestinian filmmaker
Rashid Masharawi were held in the Documenta11 film program. Atanarjuat
(The Fast Runner), which was awarded in Cannes as best debut feature
film last year, was hailed by the New York Times as a "masterpiece" and
a "classic". Chantal Akerman’s film The Other Side also was awarded at
the Cannes film festival this year.
The Documenta11 film program will be repeated cyclically every two
weeks. Information about every film and filmmaker can be found in our
program brochure or on our website at: www.documenta.de.

We would be pleased if you could mention the services of the Visitor
Service and the film program.

Please do not hesitate to contact for any questions.

For now, with best regards,

Markus Müller
Director of Communication
Documenta11
Friedrichsplatz 18
D-34117 Kassel
Phone +49.561.70 72 7 50
Fax + 49.561.70 72 7 58
www.documenta.de