Indonesian collective ruangrupa to direct Documenta 15 with community-focused model

On February 25, 2019, ruangrupa, an art collective from Indonesia, was appointed to lead Documenta 15 as the artistic director. This is a groundbreaking moment since it’s the first time artists have taken the helm of the exhibition, and only the second occasion that a non-European or American group has been selected. Members Farid Rakun and Ade Darmawan expressed their goal of creating a collaborative, global space that explores issues like colonialism, capitalism, and patriarchy. Curator Philippe Pirotte praised ruangrupa for its strong community connections. Founded in Jakarta in 2000, the collective includes artists like Reza Afisina and Julia Sarisetiati. Documenta 15 is scheduled for the summer of 2022.