Party in Honor of Documenta's 70th Anniversary - Celebration of the 70th Edition of the Documenta Art Exhibition
Celebrating 70 Years of Art and Social Impact: documenta's Anniversary Bash
Get ready to party because the legendary documenta turns 70! Today, at 6:00 PM, join us at the documenta Hall for a grand celebration. We'll be looking back on seven decades of art, society, and intense engagement, while also looking forward to the future.
The event's speakers include Sven Schoeller, Kassel's Green Party Mayor, and his deputy, Timon Gremmels, Hesse's Minister of Culture (SPD). Following their speeches, we'll dive into a panel discussion on "documenta's Journey: Past, Present, and Future," featuring former and current artistic directors of the documenta.
Unveiling "7000 Palms" for the Special Occasion
Cosima von Bonin, renowned artist, has prepared a city-wide art project, "7000 Palms," in honor of the birthday celebration. The centerpiece is a string of flags, each displaying a palm tree silhouette designed by the artist. All residents of Kassel are invited to decorate their city along with these strings of flags.
The documenta was established by Arnold Bode in 1955. Kassel has been its home ever since, with the exhibition taking place every five years for a 100-day period. The next edition, documenta 16, is set for June 12 to September 19, 2027. Naomi Beckwith, deputy director and chief curator of the New York Guggenheim Museum, will oversee the 16th edition.
- documenta
- Festakt
- World Art Exhibition
- Kassel
- Birthday
- Future
- Sven Schoeller
The documenta World Art Exhibition, held in Kassel, Germany every five years, stands as one of the world's most significant and influential contemporary art exhibitions. Established by Arnold Bode in 1955, the exhibition has become a cornerstone of the global contemporary art scene. To celebrate its 70th anniversary, a major public event, the "Festakt," was held in 2025, highlighting documenta's history, present, and future.
The event included a panel moderated by Saskia Trebing from Monopol magazine, featuring former artistic directors of documenta, such as Roger M. Buergel, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Adam Szymczyk, and upcoming director Naomi Beckwith. It also coincided with the opening of "7000 Palms" by Cosima von Bonin, an artist who emphasized creativity, community, and festive moments through her work.
Sven Schoeller, Kassel's mayor and chairman of the documenta supervisory board, played a significant role in the anniversary events and ongoing management of documenta. He emphasized the importance of documenta as more than just an art exhibition—it is a platform for critical discourse and social dialogue. Timon Gremmels, Hessian Minister of Higher Education, Research, and the Arts, also contributed to the anniversary discourse, affirming documenta's position for the future.
- As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of the legendary documenta World Art Exhibition, residents of Kassel are invited to participate in "7000 Palms," a city-wide art project by Cosima von Bonin, emphasizing community spirit and creative expression.
- The "Festakt" event spotlights documenta's significant role as a platform for critical discourse and social dialogue, focusing on its history, present, and future, with influential figures like Sven Schoeller and Timon Gremmels contributing to the discussions.
