The Documenta is regarded as the most important and visceral exhibition of contemporary art, initiated in 1955 by Arnold Bode in Kassel, Germany. Its aim was to rebuild German public life and its image after World War II. Since its inception in 1955, Documenta 5 1972, ”100 Days of Inquiry into Reality—Today’s Imagery,” has been an unrivaled milestone in the exhibition’s history.

Artists in the 72’ line up included Vito Acconci, Joseph Beuys, Jean Le Gac, and William Wegman among scads of others.  This was the first time that the exhibition would find itself under the creative direction of singular person—in 72’ it would be Harald Szeemann, the youngest artistic director for Documenta. He was able to pull the previously scattered, concept-less Documetas under a singular umbrella. Previously, works were selected based upon their individual quality and ability to stand alone. By unifying the show with one voice, the curators were able to draw parallels among modern culture, art, and science trough a multitude of mediums. The 72’ Documenta would prove to be the most expensive and intricate of all previous exhibitions. Edward Ruscha would develop and realize the identity for Documenta 5: an arrangement of ants into the numeral 5 as shown above. It would expand to the exhibition poster, catalogue, and a limited edition silk screen poster.

On 30 July, 2007, 35 years later to the day, Specific Object has opened a show that examines the effects of Documenta 5, showcasing ephemera from before, during, and after the exhibition. The original exhibition catalogue has been included. The exhibition runs through Monday 8 October 2007.