Works of art in Kassel

The public space of the city of Kassel differs from that of other cities through its occupation with high-profile outdoor objects from the documenta past. By gradually opening up new venues, the exhibition series has made programmatic use of its urban surroundings. Site-specific works of art that comment on or intervene in the urban context have been part of every documenta since 1977. In the search for expanded social effectiveness, art increasingly reacts to its socially defined environment in order to gain new commitment beyond the exhibition spaces. The history of documenta is thus also the history of its expansion into the outdoor space.

Although all outdoor artworks are generally planned on a temporary basis, nineteen prominent installations have so far been secured on a permanent basis: Donations or acquisitions from documenta 6 (1977), documenta 7 (1982), documenta 9 (1992), documenta 10 (1997), documenta 13 (2012) and documenta 14 (2017). Their retention in Kassel is on the one hand the result of a targeted acquisition policy, but on the other hand also depends on the respective commitment of the population as well as artist and sponsor activities. The City of Kassel has assumed responsibility as owner for eleven of the nineteen outdoor documenta objects, including the artwork 7000 Oaks. The outdoor artworks differ in their dimensions and materiality as well as in their artistic intentions. In each case, however, they are representative of the intention of the respective exhibition. They reflect important stages in the history of documenta and are contemporary examples of the artistic treatment of urban or landscape spaces.

With their public impact, the installations are always at the center of the public's interest. Their creation and acquisition are subject to critical commentary from the public. The often controversial reactions also reflect the changing arguments in the discussion about art in public spaces.