Hans Haacke

Hans Haacke is a legend of political conceptual art, and at the same time, his work is highly topical and of great relevance today. As a founding figure of artistic institutional critique, Haacke redefined the relationship between art and society, as well as influenced generations of artists. This lavishly illustrated volume, Hans Haacke, presents a comprehensive introduction to the German-American artist with works from 1959 to the present day.

Haacke's works are provocative and political, but also humorous and poetical. In his early work of the 1960s, he initially reflected on biological and physical (eco-)systems before turning his attention to socio-political structures, which he then subjected to a sharp--often unsparing--analysis. Thus, he examines the abuse of power, historical and political upheavals, the entanglement of public institutions, politics and the economy, and anti-democratic tendencies. He insists on the societal relevance of art and its transformative potential.