This year's Arnold Bode Award goes to the artists' collective "Instituto de Artivismo Hannah Arendt" (INSTAR) and its founder Tania Bruguera. INSTAR's risky work cannot be overestimated in its value to art and society, according to the Arnold Bode Prize Board of Trustees.

The collective, based in Cuba, is committed to democracy, social justice and the rule of law through its artistic work. The goal is "to develop a common language for freedom of expression and social responsibility." Through social cooperation, the foundation of an independent civil society is to be laid, INSTAR says.

Tania Bruguera was already represented at Documenta11 (2002). Her work Untitled (Kassel), 2002 in the former Binding-Brewery was a combination of video, performance and installation. It imitated a death squad and made political violence directly tangible for the visitors. Together with INSTAR, she will also be participating in documenta fifteen. Thus, the awarding of the Arnold Bode Prize gives a preview of documenta fifteen, which will increasingly focus on artistic collectives.

To the official press release of the city of Kassel (In German language)