The artwork by Indonesian artist collective Taring Padi featured anti-Semitic depictions.
(Photo: dpa)
Control failed in Kassel. Even though it was asked for over and over again. Although anti-Semitism has been suspected against Documenta 15 since the beginning of the year.
The Documenta scandal has four aspects:
- First, the Indonesian collective Taring Padi’s “People’s Justice” banner used the inhuman “Judensau” motif. It was first covered, then dismantled.
- Secondly, no one on the team of curators employed at the Documenta dispelled the suspicion of anti-Semitism by researching the poster painted in 2002. Reassurances and reassurances apparently sufficed.
- Thirdly, the class struggle scene was not installed on the central Friedrichsplatz for a preview, but only after all journalists and trade visitors had left before the opening.
- Fourth, the ten-strong management collective Ruangroupa, which focuses on the global South in Kassel, has remained stubbornly silent.
The resignation of Documenta Director General Sabine Schormann is by no means the end. Kassel, Hesse and the federal government as sponsors of the 43 million euro show must implement structural changes. Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth calls for the federal government’s influence on the show to be restored. Guests must also be clear about the fine line between criticism of Israel and stereotypical hate speech. And where artistic freedom ends.
Schormann has apologized. It had been assured that no anti-Semitic content would be shown at Documenta fifteen. “Unfortunately, we didn’t keep that promise. And that shouldn’t have happened.”
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Jörg Sperling sees it very differently. The chairman of the Documenta Forum criticized the removal of the work: “A free world must endure this.” The work is a caricature and, in his opinion, covered by artistic freedom. “Art raised a topic that is outside of art: the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis. Art cannot solve this problem, nor can the Documenta solve it.”
>> Read here: Documenta fifteen – Anti-Semitic depiction to be removed
But the scandal damaged everyone involved and above all the Documenta as a world art exhibition. It has already lost its status as a model. This also harms the exhibiting artists, a handful of whom have created great works of art that have nothing to do with the generally dominant agitational art.
The scandal also has a negative impact on visitor interest from collector circles. Interest in a visit is not only declining among the Federal Chancellor.
More: Documenta 15 – Distinguished artist withdraws her film from the documenta