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Hans Ulrich Obrist's Documents: An Archive of Contemporary Art

Devin Cox

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Published in A Brief History Of Curating: By Hans Ulrich Obrist (Documents 3)

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Hans Ulrich Obrist is a renowned Swiss curator, art historian, and critic. Over the past four decades, he has amassed a vast archive of contemporary art, known as Documents. The archive consists of interviews, exhibitions, and publications that document the work and ideas of some of the most influential artists of our time.

Obrist began collecting interviews in the early 1980s, when he was a young curator at the Serpentine Gallery in London. He was fascinated by the way that artists talk about their work, and he saw the potential of interviews to provide a unique insight into the creative process. Over the years, Obrist has interviewed hundreds of artists, including Ai Weiwei, Marina Abramović, Christo, Olafur Eliasson, and Jeff Koons.

A Brief History of Curating: By Hans Ulrich Obrist (Documents Book 3)

by Hans Ulrich Obrist

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	960 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	200 pages
Screen Reader	:	Supported

In addition to interviews, Documents also includes a collection of exhibition catalogues and other publications. Obrist has curated over 300 exhibitions, many of which have been groundbreaking in their scope and ambition. The exhibition catalogues provide a valuable record of these exhibitions, and they offer insights into Obrist's curatorial thinking.

Documents is not just a collection of documents; it is a living archive that is constantly being added to. Obrist continues to interview artists and curate exhibitions, and he regularly publishes new books and articles. This makes Documents an invaluable resource for anyone interested in contemporary art.

The Significance of Documents

Documents is a significant archive for several reasons. First, it provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary art over the past four decades. The interviews, exhibitions, and publications in Documents document the major trends and developments in art during this period.

Second, Documents offers a unique insight into the creative process. The interviews with artists provide firsthand accounts of how they work and how they think about their art. This information is invaluable for anyone interested in understanding the nature of creativity.

Third, Documents is a valuable resource for art historians and curators. The archive provides a wealth of information about artists, exhibitions, and art movements. This information can be used to research and interpret contemporary art.

The Future of Documents

Documents is a living archive that is constantly being added to. Obrist continues to interview artists and curate exhibitions, and he regularly publishes new books and articles. This ensures that Documents will continue to be a valuable resource for anyone interested in contemporary art.

In the future, Documents could be used in a number of ways. For example, it could be used to create educational programs, research projects, and exhibitions. It could also be used to develop new ways to engage with contemporary art.

Documents is a unique and valuable resource that has the potential to make a significant contribution to the field of contemporary art. As the archive continues to grow, it will become even more valuable for artists, art historians, curators, and anyone else interested in understanding the world of contemporary art.

A Brief History of Curating: By Hans Ulrich Obrist (Documents Book 3)

by Hans Ulrich Obrist

4.5 out of 5