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Dan Adler Analyzes Hanne Darboven's 'Cultural History 1880–1983' in New Afterall Publication

publication · 2026-04-22

A new book by Dan Adler, released by Afterall, delves into Hanne Darboven's significant installation 'Cultural History 1880–1983' (1980-83). This encyclopedic work interlaces autobiographical elements, both found and crafted materials, alongside popular depictions of notable figures, while referencing everyday experiences and significant historical moments, including the World Wars I and II. Adler analyzes the piece's aesthetic intricacies, making connections to Aby Warburg's Mnemosyne Atlas, Jasper Johns's According to What, and Gerhard Richter's Atlas. Although Darboven is recognized as a pioneer of Conceptualism with a rich exhibition background, her work has received limited scholarly attention. This publication seeks to address that deficiency. It can be accessed through MIT Press and Google Books.

Key facts

  • Hanne Darboven's 'Cultural History 1880–1983' is an encyclopedic installation created between 1980 and 1983.
  • The work juxtaposes autobiographical documents, found and crafted materials, and popular representations of iconic figures.
  • It references both mundane realities and pivotal historical events such as World Wars I and II.
  • Dan Adler authored the study for Afterall's One Work series.
  • Adler compares Darboven's work to Aby Warburg's Mnemosyne Atlas, Jasper Johns's According to What, and Gerhard Richter's Atlas.
  • Darboven is a founding figure of Conceptualism but has received limited scholarly attention.
  • The publication is available for purchase or preview via MIT Press and Google Books.
  • The book is part of Afterall's One Work series, which includes titles on Sung Hwan Kim, Isa Genzken, Alfredo Jaar, and Donald Rodney.

Entities

Artists

  • Hanne Darboven
  • Dan Adler
  • Aby Warburg
  • Jasper Johns
  • Gerhard Richter
  • Sung Hwan Kim
  • Isa Genzken
  • Alfredo Jaar
  • Donald Rodney

Institutions

  • Afterall
  • MIT Press
  • Google Books

Sources