Documenta and Manifesta

What are Documenta and Manifesta?

They are two important European surveys of contemporary art, drawing curators, artists and art lovers from all over the world. Do not picture an intimate exhibition but an extensive event that turns a whole city into a gallery for several months. Both are among the things by which you can read where contemporary art is heading.

Where and how often are they held?

Documenta is held in Kassel, Germany, once every five years. Manifesta, by contrast, travels, heading each time to a different European city. Thanks to that, with Manifesta you never know in advance exactly where you will meet it next.

How do they differ from a fair or a biennial?

A fair is above all a place of trade, where galleries come to sell, whereas Documenta and Manifesta are surveys you attend primarily for the art and for thinking about it. They are closer to a biennial, a large curated exhibition — only Documenta has its own five-year rhythm and Manifesta travels from city to city. To put it simply: here nothing is sold, here things are discovered.

Why are these surveys important?

Wherever Documenta or Manifesta goes, the local art scene generally comes alive, much as when a city becomes European Capital of Culture. They draw attention, visitors and debate about what art today is grappling with. For artists and curators, taking part in them is a great opportunity to be seen.

Can you give an example?

The classic instance is Documenta in Kassel, a small German town that turns once every five years into a centre of world art. With Manifesta, the point is that it moves, so different European cities have hosted different editions. And it always brings with it a revival of the local scene that is talked about long afterwards.

— Anna Pulkertová, founder of Art Part Club