Europe's super summer of art (Part Three)

Kassel Documenta 12 (16 JUNE-23 SEPTEMBER)

Frequency: Every five years.

The venue: Six principal venues are dotted across the centre of the picturesque city. These include a 9,500sqm temporary structure, the Aue-Pavillon, designed by the Paris-based architects Lacaton & Vassal. It is based on London's Crystal Palace, originally erected in Hyde Park to house the Great Exhibition of 1851.
What's there: Documenta will feature the work of about 110 artists.

Who's showing: The organisers keep the names of the full line-up a closely guarded secret until a few days before the show. Those confirmed include the Brazilian Ricardo Basbaum, Artur Zmijewski of Poland and Sakarin Krue-On of Thailand.

Who's going: Last time this contemporary art extravaganza was held, in 2002, it attracted more than 651,000 visitors. It aims for a more laid-back artistic clientele compared with those attracted to Basel - the opening gala is a free all-night party in a hillside park.

Key figure: Roger Bürgel, artistic director.

Previous highlights: The Turner Prize-winner Steve McQueen won plaudits in 2002 for his film Western Deep. Set in a South African goldmine, the work was shot at times in darkness and was praised for being a "searing portrait" of the mining process.

This year's highlights: Some reports featured sightings of a park being prepared for a planting of Afghan poppies earlier in the year. For deeper thinkers, the 12th edition of this international art extravaganza will pose three relatively abstruse philosophical questions, according to Bürgel: "Is humanity able to recognise a common 'horizon' beyond all differences? Is art the medium for this knowledge? What is to be done?"

Practicalities: Kassel can be reached by train from most major German cities. Day passes are €18 (£12). Tel: 0049 561 707270, or check the website on www.documenta12.de.