Art Forum have been running a series of items (mostly relayed from the German press) critical of the curator, Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev. Seems there weren't enough German artists - sorry, German
particpants - in it for some German critics. They accused her of importing her favourites from The Sydney Biennale (her last gig). Anyway, she hit back, only to reveal
how thick the attending AF critic was.
But truth be told, the Kassel Documenta is just another overblown international art survey these days. It isn't about the avant guard because no one cares enough about art history to even construct a 20-21st century art history that
has a direction - that might confer a progression or advance upon some practice. Hence the boredom and impatience with all these tedious little curatorial turns, whether its Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, Birnnbaum, Curiger, Obrist or Storr. They nominate their little themes and play around with variations, but since valid or dearly held interpretations ultimately call for historical and formal foundations, the whole thing falls apart, drifts in a vacuum of careerist arts administrators speak. You go along, but just for the ride.
This show's no better or worse than Venice or a London Triennial. It's just another party. The only reason AF gets bitchy with Christov-Bakargiev is as an indirect slurr on German cultural ascendancy. It's galling enough that their premier art fair is called Miami
Basel, and that their artists are increasingly overshadowed by the waves of European imports. Ha ha harrrrr........