While the art world operates at a breakneck pace with a seemingly never-ending cycle of art fairs, biennials and auctions, the Skulptur Projekte Münster, which opens for previews today, stands out for precisely the opposite reason: it happens just once every ten years.
As longtime artistic director Kasper König—who has been with the fair since its inaugural edition in 1977—recently told artnet News: “A slowed-down, 10-year interval is the best way to examine changes which took place in sculptural approaches, also related to society.”
Cosima von Bonin + Tom Burr, Benz Bonin Burr © Skulptur Projekte 2017. Photo by Henning Rogge
The lengthy gap between editions encourages artists to create extremely thoughtful long-term public art and performance projects that are often site-specific. The event, which runs for 100 days until October 1, spans various sites across the city and the the nearby town of Marl.
Major projects at this year’s event include a sculpture in the city center by the Berlin-based group Peles Empire inspired by Münster’s postwar reconstruction of building façades and a private flat designed by Gregor Schneider inside the Theater im Pumpenhaus and accessible only by emergency exit. Other participating artists include Xavier Le Roy, Jeremy Deller, Nicole Eisenman and Mika Rottenberg.
Can’t get to Münster? Take a look at some early highlights of the sprawling sculpture show below, and stay tuned for our review. The project officially opens to the public tomorrow.
Andreas Bunte, Laboratory Life © Skulptur Projekte 2017. Photo by Henning Rogge
Aram Bartholl, V3 © Skulptur Projekte 2017. Photo by Henning Rogge
Ei Ararkawa, Harsh Citation, Harsh Pastoral, Harsh Münster © Skulptur Projekte 2017. Photo by Henning Rogge
Alexandra Pirici, Leaking Territories, © Skulptur Projekte 2017, photo: Henning Rogge
Jeremy Deller, Speak to the Earth and It Will Tell You © Skulptur Projekte 2017. Photo by Henning Rogge
Xavier Le Roy with Scarlet Yu, Still Untitled, © Skulptur Projekte 2017, photo: Henning Rogge
Mika Rottenberg, Cosmic Generator (working title) © Skulptur Projekte 2017, photo: Henning Rogge.
Sany (Samuel Nyholm), Marginal Frieze / Fallande ting, © Skulptur Projekte 2017, photo: Henning Rogge
Bárbara Wagner und Benjamin de Burda, Bete Bete Deutschland! Eine Lebensmelodie, © Skulptur Projekte 2017, photo: Henning Rogge
Michael Dean, Tender Tender, © Skulptur Projekte 2017, photo: Henning Rogge