The documenta archive was founded in 1961 by Arnold Bode and is dedicated to the archiving, documentation and scholarly processing of text and image sources on modern and contemporary art.
The focus is on the documenta exhibitions held since 1955, curatorial practices and documentary strategies of contemporary art. In addition to the documenta archive, extensive press collections, visual and audiovisual media, a singular art library as well as relevant preliminary and posthumous bequests are part of the holdings. Visitors have the opportunity to research the written material of past documenta exhibitions and to continue their studies in the special library on classical modernism and contemporary art.
Preliminary and posthumous bequests of Arnold Bode, Harry Kramer and Hans Hillmann, for example, complete the holdings. The unity of archive, media collection and large specialised library is unique in Germany.
