Description

In 2000, Hans Haacke realized the site-specific, participatory work DER BEVÖLKERUNG (To the Population) in the Reichstag building. Members of the German Bundestag have since been invited to bring soil from their constituency to the Reichstag. Haacke’s project triggered heated discussions, which finally led to a debate in the Bundestag on April 5, 2000. A narrow majority of the parliamentarians voted against the opponents’ motion to reject the artwork. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of DER BEVÖLKERUNG, documents and archival materials on the genesis and reception of Hans Haacke’s art project have been displayed at Neuer Berliner Kunstverein, and Neuer Berliner Kunstverein initiated the presentation of Hans Haacke’s project Wir (alle) sind das Volk / We (all) are the people (2003/2017) on the facades of numerous partner institutions in Berlin on the occasion of Berlin Art Week 2020. This book documents both projects and features texts by Hans Haacke and interviews with the artist, as well as the complete historical Bundestag debate and recent statements by participating politicians.