Hans Ulrich Obrist is a prolific curator, editor, and author renowned for his contributions to contemporary art and cultural discourse. As co-director of the Serpentine Gallery in London, he has curated over 250 exhibitions, including landmark events such as the 1st Berlin Biennale (1998), Utopia Station (2003), and the Lyon Biennale (2007). His editorial work spans more than 200 book projects, including notable titles such as "A Brief History of Curating," "dontstopdontstopdontstopdontstop," and "Ai Wei Wei Speaks." Obrist is also the editor of two volumes of selected interviews, "Interviews: Vol. 1 & 2," showcasing his extensive dialogues with leading cultural figures.
Obrist's innovative approach to public engagement is exemplified by his Marathon series, initiated in 2005. These events, such as the Interview Marathon (2006) and the Manifesto Marathon (2008), bring together artists, architects, and thinkers for extended, interdisciplinary conversations. His collaborations with figures like Rem Koolhaas and Olafur Eliasson highlight his commitment to fostering creative exchange. Recognized for his curatorial excellence, Obrist was named an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in 2009 and received the Bard College Award for Curatorial Excellence in 2011. His work continues to shape contemporary art through exhibitions, publications, and dynamic public programming.
The Conversation Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Rem Koolhaas
2007
2
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Yona Friedman
2007
3
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Thomas Demand
2007
4
Hans Ulrich Obrist & John Chamberlain
2007
5
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Konrad Klapheck
2007
6
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Gilbert & George
2008
7
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Zaha Hadid
2008
8
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Olafur Eliasson
2008
9
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Philippe Parreno
2008
10
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Dominique Gonzalez-Foerster
2008
11
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Nancy Spero
2008
12
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Rosemarie Trockel
2008
13
Christian Boltanski
2009
14
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Enzo Mari
2009
15
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Gustav Metzger
2009
16
Hans Ulrich Obrist & John Baldessari
2010
17
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Yoko Ono
2010
18
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Cedric Price
2010
19
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Marina Abramovic
2010
20
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Rirkrit Tiravanija
2011
21
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Cerith Wyn Evans
2011
22
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Kazuyo Sejima
2011
23
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Dan Graham
2012
24
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Matthew Barney
2013
25
Hans Ulrich Obrist & Tacita Dean
2013
Non-Fiction Books
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
A Brief History of Curating
2008
2
Ai Wei Wei Speaks
2011
3
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Curating*: *But Were Afraid to Ask
2011
4
Think Like Clouds
2013
5
The Oldest Living Things in the World (With: Carl Zimmer, Rachel A. Sussman)
2014
6
Ways of Curating
2014
7
A Brief History of New Music
2014
8
Sharp Tongues, Loose Lips, Open Eyes, Ears to the Ground
2014
9
The Age of Earthquakes (With: Douglas Coupland, Shumon Basar)
2015
10
The Extreme Self (With: Douglas Coupland, Shumon Basar)
2021
11
Eduardo Terrazas: Cosmos (With: Arnauld Pierre, Marcus du Sautoy, Eduardo Terrazas, Guillermo Fadanelli)
2023
Hans Ulrich Obrist Anthologies
#
Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Afterzine, Issue 2
2011
2
Trolleyology: The First Ten Years of Trolley Books