Germany’s biggest contemporary art exhibit, the documenta is all set to open its doors on Saturday (June 18) following a traditional five-year break. 

The show, which is both indoors and outdoors, will display the works of over 1,500 international artists, according todocumenta’s director general, Sabine Schormann.

The prestigious exhibit began in 1955 and as the state of Hesse’s art minister Angela Dorn put it, “documenta has always been a portrayal of its time, a revolutionary art exhibition which questions the way we look at the world, which questions our concept of art today.” 

One of the art works on display under open skies is a compostable toilet which resembles an observation deck, with the toilet bowl embedded at the top. 

Visitors will also have the chance to walk over a scrap metal sculpture the size of several trucks. 

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who holds a largely ceremonial role, is expected to officially opendocumenta 15 on Saturday. documenta 15.

STATE OF HESSE SCIENCE AND ART MINISTER, ANGELA DORN, SAYING:

“Documenta has always been a portrayal of its time, a revolutionary art exhibition which questions the way we look at the world, which questions our concept of art today.”

DOCUMENTA DIRECTOR, SABINE SCHORMANN, SAYING:

“By now, at least 1,500 artists are participating in documenta fifteen, and more are still coming. A lot of them are bringing with them the post-colonial perspective of the global south and under often difficult circumstances, they are following their artistic experience in which art and life is not always separated.”

Via Reuters