The allegations of anti-Semitism against documenta 15, which has since opened, have been around for some time. A recently unveiled work reignites the debate.
A man with wolf's teeth and SS insignia on his hat: the caricature on a Taring Padi banner contains patently anti-Semitic imagery
Since the weekend, documenta fifteen in Kassel has been showing a work of art with obviously anti-Semitic imagery: the large banner entitled “People's Justice” by the Indonesian artist collective Taring Padi hangs on the central Friedrichsplatz in front of the documenta hall. It shows, among other things, the caricature of a soldier with a pig's face, wearing a scarf with a Star of David and a helmet with the inscription “Mossad” (that's the name of the Israeli secret service, editor's note). Hidden behind a The grotesque clown is also a caricature of a Jew, with sidelocks, a hooked nose, wolf's teeth, a cigar and SS symbols on his hat.
A large banner by Taring Padi is now hanging at the Fridericianeum in Kassel – obviously anti-Semitic motifs on it
Critics of documenta 15 see themselves finally confirmed. The Central Council of Jews in Germany reacted with a sharp statement in which it criticized “equally the anti-Semitism of the artists as the lack of responsibility of the exhibition organizers”. The management of the documenta guaranteed that there would be no anti-Semitism in the exhibition – and thus obviously failed.
“This is clear anti-Semitic agitation”
The director of the Frankfurt educational institution Anne Frank, Meron Mendel, calls on the documenta makers to remove Tarin Padi's contribution. “These pictures leave no room for interpretation at all, that's clear anti-Semitic agitation,” Mendel told the German Press Agency. The German-Israeli educator had previously backed the show in the anti-Semitism debate that had been smoldering for months. He saw no anti-Semitism, he had said several times. Even now he urged prudence not to describe the entire exhibition as anti-Semitic: “You have to differentiate. Something must have gone wrong. But something like that shouldn't happen.”
A section of the controversial large painting by the Indonesian artist collective Taring Padi on Friedrichsplatz
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth also found clear words: “In my view, this is anti-Semitic imagery,” tweeted the Green politician. “I'll say it again: Human dignity, protection against anti-Semitism as well as against racism and every form of misanthropy are the foundations of our coexistence, and this is where artistic freedom finds its limits.” The documenta must communicate this to the curators immediately and artists and draw “the necessary consequences”.
Fastest possible clarification planned
The deputy chair of the documenta supervisory board, Hesse's art minister Angela Dorn (Greens), made a similar statement. She immediately contacted the general director of the documenta, Sabine Schormann, with the aim of clarifying the matter as quickly as possible – if necessary by consulting experts on anti-Semitism from academia. According to Dorn, Schormann has already taken action. She expects “that we, as shareholders of documenta gGmbH, will soon deal with the results in a special meeting.”
No reason to complain in advance
At the preview of documenta fifteen, no anti-Semitic works of art were initially noticed. Only the picture series “Guernica Gaza” by the Palestinian artist collective “Question of Funding” came under criticism.
An excerpt from Mohammed Al Hawajiri's work
In his pictures, the artist Mohammed Al Hawajri combined depictions of attacks by the Israeli army on the Palestinian territory with classic motifs by Millet, Delacroix, Chagall and van Gogh. The series title alludes provocatively to the famous painting “Guernica” by Pablo Picasso. It was created in 1937 as a reaction to the destruction of the Spanish city by an air raid by Nazi Germany's “Legion Condor”. documenta Director General Sabine Schormann said in a DW interview at the start of the art exhibition that it was certainly critical – could have political positions to talk about.” “But we haven't discovered anything yet where anti-Semitism would manifest itself in any of the artworks.”
Banners with anti-Semitic motifs only now unveiled
Apparently that has now changed. Until recently, the Indonesian artist group Taring Padi was still working on installing a large banner on Friedrichsplatz in front of the Documenta Hall, which, as the newspaper “Monopol” reports, was only unfolded at the weekend. Taring Padi, founded At the end of the 1990s, in political opposition to the regime of then President Suharto, they use a pointed agitprop aesthetic in their banners, paintings and cardboard cutouts, they work with sharp caricatures, but also with motifs from the peace movement, the eco-movement or pro- LGBTQ.
Taring Padi's main exhibition site is a former swimming pool in the east of Kassel, where several wall-sized posters hang. In addition, more than 1000 of their cardboard cutouts, some produced in workshops with children and other groups from Kassel, are now on Friedrichsplatz in front of the documenta hall and the Museum Fridericianum. Countless animal creatures cavort in the satirical imagery of the artist group, and many symbols are not readily apparent to the viewer. The art magazine Monopol reports that the most recently unfurled banner “People's Justice” with the controversial anti-Semitic motifs is already over 20 years old. It is unclear in which context and with what intention it was created.
Criticism from Federal Presidents
On Saturday (June 18, 2022), Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier opened the 15th documenta issue with clear criticism of the organizers and curators. “It is striking that no Jewish artists from Israel are represented at this important exhibition of contemporary art,” says Steinmeier.
Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier between Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (left) and documenta Director-General Sabine Schormann at the opening of documenta fifteen
It upsets him “when representatives of the global South are increasingly refusing to take part in events attend any conference or festival attended by Jewish Israelis”.
The federal government's anti-Semitism commissioner, Felix Klein, also expressed sharp criticism. He told the newspaper “Bild am Sonntag” that those responsible for the documenta had not been able to dispel the allegations of anti-Semitism in a credible manner. “It cannot be that anti-Semitism is part of the publicly funded artistic discourse in Germany.”
< p>The Federal Government Anti-Semitism Commissioner, Felix Klein
In 2022, the documenta, which takes place every five years, will for the first time be managed by a team of curators from the Global South, the Indonesian collective Ruangrupa. In his opening speech, Steinmeier emphasized that a democratic society should not patronize or exploit artists. “Art can be offensive, it should trigger debates.” Criticism of Israeli politics is also allowed. “But where criticism of Israel turns into questioning of its existence, the limit has been crossed.” His speech can be read on the website of the Federal President's Office.
The German Cultural Council also spoke up in the debate. Its managing director Olaf Zimmermann spoke of a “scandal with announcement”, which makes the matter “even more bitter”.
The documenta's reputation is damaged
“What started as an attempt to give the 'global South' a voice,” noted the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, “has taken a disastrous turn. The depressing realization is that all participants leave this documenta damaged.” In its more recent editions, the documenta primarily wanted to show art that reflects on political issues. “This time”, according to the FAZ, “a conflict that lies outside of art and cannot be solved by it is getting over her head.”
-
documenta 15: Change of perspective
Art and political action
Street noise from Nairobi penetrates from a corrugated iron shack in front of the documenta hall. The work of the artist collective Wajukuu Art Project brings African reality to Kassel. For 100 days, visitors can visit the famous art show, which is considered the most important exhibition of contemporary art alongside the Venice Biennale.
-
documenta 15: Change of perspective
Colorful cardboard figures
Cheerfully painted cardboard signs are stuck in the lawn on Friedrichsplatz in the center of Kassel. The works of the Indonesian artist group Taring Padi are art and political action at the same time. The artists want it to be understood as a demonstration against violence and exploitation, not only in their country, which has long been ruled by a dictator.
-
documenta 15: Change of view
Sayings on the columns
The pillars of the venerable Fridericianum also serve as an artistic projection surface: the Romanian artist Dan Perjovschi painted them black and then inscribed them with white symbols and signs on topics such as peace, solidarity or sustainability. With the art campaign, the Fridericianum Museum in Kassel is also presenting the major themes of the 15th Documenta exhibition.
-
documenta 15: change of perspective
Faced demonstration in Hungary
The independent Hungarian collective Off-Biennale Budapest organized a “gladness demo” for this photo as a sign against nationalist Hungarian cultural politics. The artists are now represented at the documenta, like many other collectives, especially from countries in the Global South. There are hardly any star artists in Kassel, which is also a statement against the art market.
-
documenta 15: change of perspective
Used records next to art
The documenta course leads to 32 exhibition locations spread across the entire city. There it is less about individual works of art and more about processes and projects. And about “Lumbung”, the art of cooperation. On the Hübner site you will find – in addition to art – the stands of a record and second-hand clothing store. Local initiatives are also part of documenta fifteen.
-
documenta 15 : Swap Gaze
Old clothes art: “Return to Sender”
Protest against the destruction of the environment and markets in Africa: “Return to Sender” is the name of the installation by The Nest Collective from Nairobi. The walk-in installation made of pressed old clothes is in the Karlsaue in front of the orangery and thus provides a – also visually sharp – contrast. documenta fifteen offers many such thinking stations.
-
documenta 15: Change of perspective
ruangrupa: impulses for the world
Thanks to ruangrupa, ecological problems and repression in South Asia, political persecution in Cuba or the problems of queer people in Africa are being discussed in Kassel these days. The Indonesian curatorial collective has already achieved a lot with its work. Probably the most important thing: a change of perspective on art. The documenta lasts until September 25.