An exhibition of international contemporary art held in Kassel in Germany, originally every four years, and from 1972 every five years. It is perceived as one of the world's most important art exhibitions. Founded by the artist, teacher and curator Arnold Bode in 1955, the first Documenta featured, among others, Pablo Picasso, Barbara Hepworth, Ben Nicholson and Max Beckmann. It was created in order to herald a new era after the reactionary aesthetic values of the Nazi period. Sometimes called the Hundred Day Museum, it appoints a new director for every exhibition and the format is often re-invented.