art show
Focus on anti-Semitism scandal: documenta continues
The day after the controversial giant banner was taken down, only the empty scaffolding and cardboard cutout stands remain. Photo: Uwe Zucchi/dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
It wants to be a festival of world art, where the international avant-garde shows contemporary art every five years. At the moment, however, the documenta is in the headlines more because of anti-Semitic imagery.
The documenta fifteen in Kassel, shaken by an anti-Semitism scandal, is entering its second week. The world art exhibition, which has been running since last Saturday, is characterized by demands for his resignation and allegations.
The banner “People’s Justice” by the Taring Padi artist collective was taken down on Tuesday because of anti-Semitic imagery. The pressure on those responsible is still great.
Apologies from Artists
The Indonesian collective Taring Padi apologized in a statement on the documenta website. “We deeply regret the extent to which the imagery of our work People’s Justice has offended so many people. We apologize to all viewers and staff of documenta fifteen, the public in Germany and especially the Jewish community.” One has learned from the mistake and now recognizes that the imagery has acquired a specific meaning in the historical context of Germany.
Now the other documenta exhibits are to be examined with a view to the anti-Semitism scandal. “As a shareholder, we have given the management of documenta gGmbH the task of checking all the works shown in terms of responsible curating,” said Hesse’s Minister of Art Angela Dorn (Greens) at the request of the German Press Agency on Friday in Wiesbaden. “This review is ongoing and we expect to be informed of the results in a timely manner.”
It is the task and responsibility of the general director of the documenta, Sabine Schormann, to work out how anti-Semitic imagery was able to be seen at the exhibition, emphasized the Minister of Art.
A critical look at public cultural funding
The federal-state commission to combat anti-Semitism and protect Jewish life said: “It is urgently necessary to determine who is responsible for dealing with anti-Semitic imagery and other anti-Jewish content.” It is important “to clarify the omissions and mistakes in the planning, preparation and implementation of the documenta and to draw conclusions”.
The federal government’s anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, also spoke critically to the editorial network Germany (RND) with a view to public cultural funding. “In Kassel, it’s about anti-Semitic depictions that incite hatred of the people, which are not covered by artistic freedom. Something like that shouldn’t be subsidized by the state,” he said.
Chancellor Scholz canceled
Meanwhile, the Lord Mayor of Kassel, Christian Geselle, wrote a letter to Chancellor Olaf Scholz (both SPD) after he had declared that he did not want to visit the world art exhibition. The mayor considers Scholz’ cancellation to be inappropriate, since the documenta “is placed under general suspicion,” the “Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine” quoted a city hall spokesman as saying. However, a visit by the Federal Chancellor is not a fixed part of the documenta program.
A city spokesman also said that no board meeting is currently scheduled. At the meetings of the committee, which includes representatives of the shareholders City of Kassel and State of Hesse, possible structural or personnel changes are usually discussed. Most recently, there had been calls for the resignation of Director General Schormann, who is sticking to her position.