Review of Skulptur Projekte Münster 1987: A Sculptural Treasure Hunt Through the City

Kasper König organized Skulptur Projekte Münster in 1987 as a complement to Documenta 8 in Kassel, framing it as an adventurous treasure hunt across Münster. Participants, equipped with bicycles, maps, and a catalogue from the Landesmuseum, sought out 36 sculptures, many cleverly disguised or hidden in urban settings. Among the works encountered were Thomas Schütte's giant cherries on a granite column, Carl André's steel plates covering a tumulus, Claes Oldenburg's graffiti-defaced concrete balls, Sol LeWitt's ziggurat and black box, and Rebecca Horn's immersive installation in a tower with hammers and a reflective pool. Some pieces proved elusive, like a missing Richard Deacon snail-shaped sculpture and a stolen plaque by Ian Hamilton Finlay found only as nails in a tree. The experience blended physical exertion with artistic discovery, leaving visitors both exhilarated and saddle-sore, contrasting with the more conventional Documenta exhibition. The review, originally published in ArtReview in September 1987, captures the event's playful yet demanding nature, highlighting how sculptures integrated into the cityscape required interpretive map-reading and endurance.