Documenta 10 director Catherine David prioritizes debate over spectacle
In a 1997 interview with artpress, Catherine David, director of Documenta 10, outlined her vision for the exhibition, emphasizing intellectual debate over market-driven spectacle. She discussed cultural value differences between Western, Asian, and African art worlds, criticized media instrumentalization of Documenta, and defended her decision to include Paul Virilio's controversial declaration that the plastic arts are dead in the official bulletin. The interview, conducted by Catherine Francblin and Jean-Yves Jouannais, revealed David's overarching, moralizing stance on contemporary art's role in society.
Key facts
- Catherine David was the director of Documenta 10.
- The interview was published in artpress in June 1997.
- Interviewers were Catherine Francblin and Jean-Yves Jouannais.
- David addressed cultural and market value differences across Western, Asian, and African art.
- She criticized media instrumentalization of Documenta.
- She included Paul Virilio's statement that plastic arts are dead in the Documenta 10 bulletin.
- David's proposals were described as general, overarching, and moralizing.
- The interview focused on principles of elaborating Documenta 10.
Entities
Artists
- Catherine David
- Paul Virilio
Institutions
- Documenta 10
- artpress
Locations
- Kassel
- Germany
Sources
- artpress —