Documenta

documenta (with a lower-case 'd') is an exhibition of modern and contemporary art which now takes place every 5 years in Kassel, Germany. It was founded by Arnold Bode in 1955 as part of the Bundesgartenschau which took place in Kassel at that time. This first documenta was - in contrast to most expectations - a considerable success as it featured most of the artists which are nowadays generally considered to have had a significant influence on modern art, e.g. Picasso or Kandinsky. The more recent documentas feature art from all continents. It is by most art critiques perceived to be one of the most important art exhibitions in the whole world.

List of documenta exhibitions

• documenta 1, 16 July - 18 September 1955
• documenta 2, 11 July - 11 October 1959
• documenta 3, 27 June - 5 October 1964
• documenta 4, 27 June - 6 October 1968
• documenta 5, 30 June - 8 October 1972, artistic director Harald Szeemann
• documenta 6, 24 June - 2 October 1977, artistic director Manfred Schneckenburger
• documenta 7, 19 June - 28 September 1982, artistic director Rudi Fuchs
• documenta 8, 12 June - 20 September 1987, artistic director Manfred Schneckenburger
• documenta IX, 13 June - 20 September 1992, artistic director Jan Hoet
• documenta X, 21 June - 28 September 1997, artistic director Catherine David
• documenta 11, 8 June - 15 September 2002, artistic director Okwui Enwezor
• documenta 12, 16 June - 23 September 2007, artistic director Roger Buergel