Hans Haacke

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

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 and influenced following generations of artists. This lavishly illustrated volume presents a comprehensive introduction to the German-American artist with works from 1959 to the present day.

Hans Haacke’s oeuvre is provocative and political, but also humorous and poetical. In his early work in the 1960s he initially reflected on biological and physical (eco-)systems before turning his attention to socio-political structures, which he then subjects 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 not least anti- democratic tendencies. He insists on the societal relevance of art and its transformative potential.