Hans Ulrich Obrist

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
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
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
1 Afterzine, Issue 2 2011
2 Trolleyology: The First Ten Years of Trolley Books 2013
3 Stephen Shore: Selected Works, 1973-1981 2017
4 Judy Chicago: New Views 2019