The end of Fairytale

On Monday the last group of the 1001 Chinese visitors finally embarked upon their long journeys home to Beijing, Shanghai and the provinces. Their departure spells the end of the Fairytale. Packed into the suitcases of our Chinese guests were souvenirs and USB sticks full of photos, and their minds were still full of vivid images and lasting impressions.

As her compatriots begin to gather in groups and build mountains of suitcases on the premises of the Gottschalk-Halls, Shuyu Chen, an architect from Beijing takes breakfast for the last time in the makeshift canteen tent. At home she intends to relate “her truth” about the fairytale. She recalls that when she arrived, she already had many impressions about Western Europe and Germany. Although this was her first time in Europe, these enabled her to feel almost at home from the outset. And now, she explains, she has become part of these images herself. Everyday she went on long walks through Kassel, took many photos of the beautiful city and the landscape and was touched by the hospitality of the inhabitants here. Some people even apologised to her for the terrible weather. The biggest difference to her home country was the eye contact on the streets, unknown in China. Here she sought and enjoyed eye contact. When asked how the art project has impacted on her, she replies: “Perhaps Fairytale represents the boundary between the two cultures which I have now crossed.” The architect spoke of her enjoyment of the exhibition: “I have used documenta 12 as a medium to reflect upon myself and upon the path I will take.”

“This really is a fairytale!” enthuses Yue Luan. She is standing in the middle of the courtyard clad in a floor-length, bright-blue dress and appears remarkably unimpressed by the preparations for their departure. She prefers to talk enthusiastically about her impressions of the past few days. By taking part in this project, she has felt like an actress in a fairytale. Dressed in a traditional Chinese costume, she even danced in a special performance on Friedrichsplatz, which she relate in detail to her mother and grandmother upon her return home. “I really was a princess!”, Yue Luan exclaims. “Everybody took a picture of me!” She admits to finding Europe far more sympathetic than she had imagined. Everyone has been so friendly, even waving at her from a distance.

In contrast, Xuan Lei and Li Danfeng seem prepared for their departure as they wait next to their luggage on the stairs by the entrance. As both have travelled frequently throughout Germany and Europe, their experience of Fairytale has perhaps been less magical than for others. However, they regard the project as something very special and of trail-blazing significance for the documenta, in Xuan Lei’s view. Both men are proud of being allowed to take part. From now on, the city of Kassel and documenta 12 will always be associated with this project, of that they are sure. Asked about the cultural differences, they immediately mention German cuisine, which was not quite to their taste. Before his departure Xuan Lei was keen to express his gratitude once again to the residents of Kassel for the many bicycles made available to them during their stay.

For Li Gui Fen from Ji Nan this was her first visit to Germany. She found it far too brief and is determined to return. When she arrives back home, she intends to sit down with her children and begin telling the long story of her experiences here. For, as she explains, she genuinely felt as if she were in a fairytale and  had a magical dream each night. She also had a vision, namely that in 10 years her children will be able to study at the university here. She has bought them a pair of binoculars as a memento of her visit. Li Gui Fen was also impressed by the small church in Hann. Münden, which she visited on an excursion. In common with many of her compatriots, she has also been pleasantly surprised by cleanliness of German towns and cities. The message she will be taking home with her to China is “Protect Mother Nature!”, she proclaims, laughing optimistically.

Whilst Ai Weiwei is taking some final snaps with his small digital camera, a row of laughing young Chinese is forming behind identical suitcases. Wen Sheng Dong (himself an artist) and Hai Qiang Fang seem very happy. In their view, Fairytale was an interesting and important documenta 12 project. It casts the documenta in a totally new perspective, as this type of artwork is so very different from anything attempted in the past. Despite the strong media focus on the project itself, this has been a very emotional experience for the individuals involved. Prior to his arrival in Kassel, Hai Qiang Fang had always believed that the Germans and Chinese were very different and that Germany was a very closed society. But this trip, he explains, has radically altered these preconceptions. Hai Qiang Fang has discovered many similarities, including the “way we think”. Alone the fact that he was able to come here was a fairytale, as it is very difficult for the Chinese to obtain a visa to travel to Germany. Despite his enthusiasm, he admitted to finding one or two aspects of German life less commendable: German tea, bread and the fact that everyone is so tall.

When asked if he is left feeling a little melancholy now that everyone has departed, Ai Weiwei replied, “No, they are all still here - in my memory.”


*All photos Julia Zimmermann, © Julia Zimmermann/documenta GmbH

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