Rosa Níco de Graaf

Documenta 9-13: Archive

Critical and Curatorial Challenges in Contemporary Art: the Documenta Exhibitions 1992 – 2013

I have built this archive as a chance to explore the documenta quinquennale between 1992-2013. The archive is split into 5 parts: Part I explores the historical context of each of the 5 documenta exhibitions that took place between ’92 and ’13; Part II researches each of the chief curators, to better understand their curatorial position and approach toward documenta; Part III discusses three artworks from each of the five documentas, which best represent the theme of the exhibition or indicate its intended cultural impact; Part IV takes the form of an analytical literature review, noting the suggestions and arguments put forward by three texts on the subject of contemporary art, globalisation and biennial culture; and lastly, Part V ends the archive with a reflexive essay based on the archive thus assembled, considering the effects of linking post-1989 history with post-1989 temporary exhibition practice, also reflecting on the process of archiving itself in contemporary culture. – Rosa Níco de Graaf