artintelligence

In another post I wrote about the “Documenta 12 effect” deploying a Baudrillard-like methodology of pessimistic futurology. The endpoint of the fictional Documenta 12 effect is a Pruitt Igoe-like demolition of the institution of fine art: which from an anti-capitalist standpoint may not be such a bad thing. (more…)

In another post I referred to the “Documenta 12 effect” which refers to the manner in which the artistic director of Documenta 12, Roger Buergel, attempted a transvaluation of fine art by focusing on work that was visually uninteresting. The pieces exhibited by Alejandra Riera and Ueinzz at Documenta 12 fit into this category. Yet they are of great value because they point to a possible end to the erosion of category “art” initiated by the viral impact of the Duchampian Readymade; due to the fact that they indicate a point at which we can justifiably state “this is not art”. (more…)

I am revisiting my folder of photographs and videos taken at Documenta 12 in order to begin an archaeological investigation of why such a major exhibition failed. One of the theories evident in the reception of Documenta 12 is that many of the artists were unknown. One can take this at face value, but there were artists in the exhibition who are well known and some who, although less known, have acquired a significant degree of recognition within the Euro-American art system, one such is the Indian documentary filmmaker and artist Amar Kanwar. (more…)