The documenta 14 Reader

by Quinn Latimer (Editor), Adam Szymczyk (Editor), Tony Bennett (Contributor)

This enlightening book, which takes the form of a "reader," brings the 2017 documenta—its fourteenth iteration—to the page. First conceived in 1955 by Arnold Bode, the inaugural documenta exhibition endeavored to bring Germany back into artistic dialogue with the rest of the post-war world. More than sixty years later, documenta 14 returns to its initial motivation by extending its base in the city of Kassel, Germany to Athens, Greece. Accompanying documenta 14, this book functions as a "reader," evoking the various meanings associated with that term. Emphasizing the importance of literature, storytelling, performance, and pedagogy, it features illustrations and critical writings that address and expand upon the exhibition’s theme of economic and cultural realities in a new world. As the current social and political trends in Europe and the world have divided people geographically and economically, this documenta returns to its roots—bringing to light another significant moment in world history.

712 pages, Hardcover

Published June 25, 2017

About the author

Quinn Latimer is a California-born poet, critic, and editor whose work often explores feminist economies of writing, reading, and image production. Her books include Like a Woman: Essays, Readings, Poems (2017); Stories, Myths, Ironies, and Other Songs: Conceived, Directed, Edited, and Produced by M. Auder, coedited with Adam Szymczyk (2014); Sarah Lucas: Describe This Distance (2013); Film as a Form of Writing: Quinn Latimer Talks to Akram Zaatari (2013); and Rumored Animals (2012). Her writings and readings have been featured widely, including at REDCAT, Los Angeles; Chisenhale Gallery, London; Radio Athènes, Athens; the Poetry Project, New York; the Venice Architecture Biennale; and the Sharjah Biennial 13. Latimer was editor-in-chief of publications for documenta 14 in Athens and Kassel. She is currently faculty at Zürcher Hochschule der Künste, in Zurich, and, with Chus Martínez, runs a new feminist think tank at Institut Kunst, in Basel.

Reviews

[Adam Lowy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Random notes of the provocative stimulating book. A guide? preamble? to Documenta 14, the art exhibition in Kassel and Athens, summer 2017. Should work on its own though, and does, as a work of art. Mixing art theory , political theory, meditative practice , fiction, poetry. Guidebook of how to see the world , take it and act.


Chapter by Lorey

On Benjamin:"the encounter between present and past , their "constellation " as he puts it, is always a " construction"...the task before us is to shape it in an emancipatory way."

By Pauline Oliveros

The Inner-Outer Sound Matrix
Choose text/listen inwardly for a word to express/ choose when and how to say this word-or not/ listen outwardly and choose a word or phrase from the selected text/ choose when and how to express that phrase- or not.../12 minute trajectory by either adding more and more silence between your performed sounds and/or words or less and less silence/ stop when your 12 minute trajectory is completed/the duration of the piece does not have to be measured/ the duration can be free.

Quote from Capital:" The discovery of gold and silver in America, the extirpation, enslavement and entombment in mines of the aboriginal population, the beginning of the conquest and looting of the East Indies, the turning of Africa into a warren for the commercial hunting of black-skins, signaled the rosy dawn of the era of capitalist production. These idyllic proceedings are the chief moments of primitive accumulation."

How debt and gifting can be seen as undercurrent of Documenta. Both debt related to financial crisis ( Pound Canto on usury in chess society piece) and refugee crisis/ French man seeking he whose Gentile name saved in ( who then immediately seeks concrete reward Juste medal!). Interpersonal debt. What we owe others as reaction to displacement ( to a good neighbor)

"As Derrida pointed out, every archive contains the fire with which the memory of the other is destroyed." (Preciado)