KASSEL.- Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev has been elected the Artistic Director of the documenta 13, which is scheduled to take place from June 9th, 2012 to September 16th, 2012 in Kassel.

Bernd Leifeld, CEO of documenta und Museum Fridericianum Veranstaltungs-GmbH announced today (03.12.2008) that in an unanimous decision the Supervisory Board of documenta followed the proposal of the international finding committee.

Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev works as a curator and writer in Rome, Turin and New York. She is currently the Chief Curator at the Castello di Rivoli Museum of Contemporary Art in Turin and was the Artistic Director for the 16th Sydney Biennale (2008). From 1999 to 2001 she was Senior Curator of Exhibitions at P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center – a MoMA Affiliate. Previously, she organized exhibitions as an independent curator in different countries.

The Lord Mayor of Kassel, Bertram Hilgen, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the organisation, the Vice Chairman, State Minister Silke Lautenschläger, and Professor Kasper König, the speaker of the finding committee, presented the new Artistic Director in a press conference held at the documenta-Halle.

State Minister Silke Lautenschläger promises fascinating perspectives on contemporary art by the appointment of Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev, who has studied both literature and the history of art. Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev is a real power woman who will, without a doubt, master the documenta challenge. "I am sure that this internationally renowned curator will give the documenta bright new impulses". The national and international significance of the art exhibition cannot be estimated highly enough.

Lord Mayor, Bertram Hilgen stated that he is sure that with the announcement of Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev as the Artistic Director of documenta 13, the success story of the world wide most important art exhibition is being continued. “The international curator is also bringing an excellent reputation with her to Kassel next to her store of experience as curator and director of the Turin Castello di Rivoli, and indeed the documenta exhibitions will in years to come again have a charisma in the artistic world.

I am really looking forward to working with Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev which promises to be exciting!”