Since the advent of modernity art has been associated with freedom provocation and courage.
In 1972 art was to unfold its potential as an emancipatory and creative force as part of the
Gesamtkunstwerk of the XX. Olympic Games in Munich-according to the grand vision of its
planners. The international avant-garde of the time including Walter de Maria Gerhard Richter
Andy Warhol and Dan Flavin enthusiastically developed revolutionary concepts. Many of these
remained in draft-form. After the tragic assassination of Israeli athletes concepts such as
the Spielstraße were canceled. This publication is the first to give an impression of the
playful participatory cultural programme of 1972. In the second part of the book a multitude
of voices from all over the world look to the future. International authors and artists use
contemporary examples to convey the importance of the arts in shaping the democratic society of
the future.
