In 1972, James Lee Byers was invited by Harald Szeemann to participate in "documenta 5" in Kassel, where the performance "Calling German Names" marked a turning point in his career. Dressed in red silk, Byars called out a succession of common German names through a megaphone from the top of the Fridericianum. The performance was repeated that same year from the top of the clock tower in Berne.