Yellow street signs in Kassel dub the small German city “Documenta Stadt,” for the art festival that is held here twice a decade. The 13th edition, directed by Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, opened on June 6, with more than 190 artists and collectives participating in a show spread over numerous venues. Though the exhibition did not have a central theme, Christov-Bakargiev said she was interested in “four conditions in which artists and thinkers find themselves acting in the present—of being ‘on stage’ / ‘under siege’ / ‘in a state of hope’ / ‘on retreat.’” The opening three days were barely enough time to see all of the works in their entirety. Indeed, many of the projects had begun earlier in the year, or had taken place in Kabul, Cairo and Alexandria, Banff (Canada) or other places off-site, and will continue for the mega-festival’s 100-day run throughout the German summer. This is an abbreviated tour of Documenta, with a particular look at works and projects by participating artists from the Asia-Pacific region. 

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