Early warnings were raised that the Indonesian curatorial collective Ruangrupa supported anti-Jewish tendencies. Now that's exactly what happened. The Documenta makers are in ruins, says Sabine Kieselbach.
Covered: The work “People's Justice” by the collective Taring Padi
The trigger for the scandal with the announcement is huge. Since the opening weekend of the Documenta, the banner “People's Justice” has been emblazoned across an area of nine by twelve meters in the center of the world art exhibition, unmissable. A Last Judgment as a hidden object, on it an Israeli soldier with a pig's face and a Star of David as well as another figure with sidelocks, greedy fangs and SS runes on guard.
The reactions were not long in coming: politicians, representatives of Jewish organizations and the Israeli embassy in Berlin expressed sharp criticism. And the Documenta? General director Sabine Schormann regrets that feelings were hurt, an agreement was reached with the Indonesian artist collective Taring Padi to cover the work of art on Monday evening and to attach a statement at the location. “People's Justice” should now be a symbol for the currently impossible dialogue, the group has announced and expresses regret that their work “is perceived as offensive in this specific context in Germany”.
Documenta boss: Helpless justification
Only in Germany? The depiction uses the worst anti-Semitic stereotypes that are not only outrageous in Germany. And the statement by the Documenta boss that artistic exhibits cannot be submitted for examination in advance is nothing but a helpless justification.
DW editor Sabine Kieselbach
All criticism was rejected in advance, including from the Documenta side, and the opportunity for dialogue was missed when the planned series of discussions “We have to talk” was called off in May. There have been warnings for months, above all from the Central Council of Jews in Germany, which now sees itself confirmed in all points.
Because even before the scandal broke out, there was heavy criticism of the works of a given to a group of Palestinian artists, whose works equated the actions of the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip with those of the Wehrmacht in Guernica, Spain.
The participating artists bear the blame
Is the Documenta as a whole anti-Semitic? no But the damage is immense, especially for the 1,700 or so artists from all over the world who wanted to seize the opportunity to present the audience in Kassel with a new, non-Western perspective on art. Who wanted to have discussions about justice, equality, democracy and capitalism at this year's Documenta – topics that have now fallen behind.
So what now? Shortly after the Minister of State for Culture and Media, Claudia Roth, whose authority is one of the main sponsors of the Documenta, announced in a statement on Tuesday that it was not enough to simply cover up the incriminated work of art, the Documenta reported that it will now be completely removed. That, Claudia Roth said, could only be a first step. She doesn't say what the next step might look like, whether heads have to roll.
Not a typical German debate
It is clear that the makers of the Documenta were overwhelmed by their concept. And politicians, Claudia Roth and Hesse's Green Minister of Culture, Angela Dorn, have long thought they could stay out of the debate. Also because almost every Documenta in the past had sparked heated controversy. But the warning of anti-Semitic tendencies should have set off all the alarm bells; instead, the objections were dismissed as a typically German debate. A mistake.
Especially since the hopes of artists from the global South to enter into a dialogue with the North have been dashed. After all, the Documenta is considered one of the most important exhibitions of contemporary art in the world. What a shame.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.