DOCUMENTA 13
Documenta over the years has always been a refl ective and
somewhat grim aff air. Historically the fi rst Documenta in 1955
took place to lift the sprits of Kassel, a German town suff ering from
the aft ermath of World War 2. Th e latest edition of Documenta 13
from 9th June to 16th September 2012 brings to the forefront events
and historical turning points that have left a deep impression on the
world by engaging 150 artists from 50 countries. Besides Kassel it
takes place simultaneously in Kabul, Alexandra and Banff .
Th e artistic director Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev has given
a deep insight into art by including an investigation of specifi c,
localized moments in cultural and political history. By doing so she
has made Documenta 13 a truly global experience. She has included
Kabul, Alexandria/Cairo, and Banff in Canada and has explored
issues that aff ected the artist when caught in the annihilation of war.
Th e contribution from Kabul are striking and layered.
Mohammad Yusuf Asefi , a conservator at the National Gallery of
Kabul in Afghanistan, painted landscape over the fi gures owned
by the National Gallery of Kabul, saving
about 80 paintings from destruction by the
Taliban. His works exude bravery, caring, and
creativity as fi gures of people and animals
were forbidden in the Kabul of the nineties
and 2000s.