Opening: Urgent Action – Preserving Cultural Heritage at the documenta archiv

To mark European Restoration Day, this year’s final studio exhibition explores what it means for the documenta archiv to preserve tangible cultural heritage for future generations. Under the theme “Preserving Cultural Heritage,” the restoration department invites visitors to discover its rich collection through the lens of conservation and to gain a deeper understanding of the daily challenges, working methods, instances of damage, and their remediation.

The exhibition showcases the full range of restoration work at the documenta archiv: from preserving audiovisual media to handling traditional paper-based archival materials, as well as paintings and three-dimensional objects—such as Harry Kramer’s delicate wire sculptures or Arnold Bode’s furniture designs—and it highlights the people behind the scenes, whose work often remains unseen.

Curatorial talk at the opening with Melissa Köhler and Arlett Sauermann: September 29, 2026, 11:00 a.m.

Welcome remarks: Birgitta Coers

Concept and exhibition design: Melissa Köhler and Arlett Sauermann

Collaboration: Michael Gärtner, Natalie Schmidt, Susanne Rübsam, and with the kind support of the IT department and building services