Art
documenta: There is a new accusation of anti-Semitism
Documenta 2022 was overshadowed by an anti-Semitism scandal. photo
© Uwe Zucchi/dpa
After the anti-Semitism scandal surrounding documenta 15 last year, new allegations have been made against a member of the search committee for the management of the upcoming show.
The campaign calls for a boycott of the State of Israel and Israeli products because of its actions against Palestinians. Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) threatened the documenta with financial consequences.
“I am deeply affected by the indirect accusation that I am ‘anti-Semitic,'” Hoskoté told the German Press Agency on Friday. The “Süddeutsche Zeitung” first reported.
By signing the declaration, he took a stand “in particular against Hindutva extremism, which is avowedly inspired by Nazism and fascism.” He dedicated his life to rejecting authoritarian ideologies. “Meanwhile, I have publicly and clearly spoken out against any cultural boycott of Israel. I reject and do not support the goals of the BDS movement,” said Hoskoté. Especially after October 7, 2023, the Hamas terror in Israel and its consequences, his thoughts are with both the Jewish and the Palestinian people, with the suffering civilian population in Israel and Palestine.
Claudia Roth calls for a credible new start
The declaration signed by Hoskoté was “clearly anti-Semitic and full of anti-Israel conspiracy theories,” said Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens). She threatens the documenta with financial consequences. “The federal government will only be financially involved in the next documenta if there is a common plan and visible reform steps towards clear responsibilities, a real opportunity for the federal government to participate and standards to prevent anti-Semitism and discrimination. I don’t see any basis for this yet reached.” A credible new start is needed at the documenta.
According to the statement, the managing director of documenta gGmbh, Andreas Hoffmann, called the signing of the declaration not remotely acceptable due to its “explicitly anti-Semitic content”. Documenta was not aware of Hoskoté’s signature until Thursday. “We were also not aware of the statement itself.” Hoffmann emphasized: “Coming to terms with the anti-Semitic misconduct at documenta 15 is a very serious concern for us.”
Documenta Fifteen had already been overshadowed by an anti-Semitism scandal. The show is considered, alongside the Venice Biennale, to be the most important exhibition for contemporary art. Hoskoté was selected for the search committee in March alongside five other members of former documenta artistic directors. The group should propose a curator or a collective for the upcoming edition of documenta in 2027 by the end of 2023 or beginning of 2024. The 16th edition of documenta is scheduled to take place in Kassel from June 12th to September 19th, 2027.