Not a logo but a collective work of art

Culture

documenta fifteen (18 June to 25 September 2022) was shaped by a paradigm shift: it was centred on collectivism, diversity and solidarity, thus focusing more on collaborative processes than on the individual artwork. For the first time, the exhibition was curated by a collective, the Indonesian group Ruangrupa, based on the idea of ‘lumbung’, a community model for the sustainable management and use of resources that is widespread in Indonesia.

Stan Hema was entrusted with the development of the website, among other things, and immediately recognised that an internet presence that addresses equality, cooperation, togetherness and sustainability needs room to breathe. That is why we built the website as an animated, modular and process-oriented system. Disconcerting, playful, colourful and courageous.

Every visit to the website provides different impressions: a random principle mixes colours, handwriting and typesetting, illustration, photography and content. The content and design elements are constantly evolving. Artists and local initiatives are presented on an equal footing. A clear rejection of the star principle common in the art world, which documenta fifteen avoids.

With the development of the website, our collaboration with Ruangrupa and the design collective Studio 4oo2 entered its second round. Previously, we had already developed the visual identity of documenta fifteen. New to the team were the developers from New Now.

Our common goal was to create a website that inspires and surprises in the long term. A barrier-free, service-oriented platform that provides visitors, creatives, art experts and interested parties with all the relevant information about the exhibition. But also enables discourse on ideas, content and values. All on the basis of a design system that flexibly adapts to new requirements and needs – a permanent work in progress, so to speak.