After the scandal surrounding an anti-Semitic work of art at documenta fifteen in Kassel, the Ruangrupa curatorial collective responsible has now apologized.
The picture “People's Justice” by the Indonesian Taring Padi collective at documenta fifteen caused an anti-Semitic scandal
The installation “People's Justice” by the Indonesian artist collective Taring Padi hung on a scaffolding in the center of Kassel for three days before it was dismantled after allegations of anti-Semitism. It showed a kind of Last Judgment as a hidden object. It also showed a soldier with a pig's face and a Star of David, as well as a figure with sidelocks, buck teeth and SS runes on guard.
Remembering the “most terrible episode in German history”
< p>“We apologize for the disappointment, shame, frustration, betrayal and shock this stereotype has caused to viewers and the entire team,” said the documenta curators, the Ruangrupa collective, also from Indonesia ;One collectively failed to recognize those parts in the artwork that evoked classic stereotypes of anti-Semitism. “We realize that was our fault.”
The giant “People's Justice” banner by Taring Padi was removed three days after the opening of documenta fifteen because of anti-Semitic imagery
Acknowledge that the illustrations commemorate the “most horrible episode in German history, in which Jewish people were attacked and murdered on an unprecedented scale”. According to the collective, they now want to use the opportunity to “educate themselves further about the horrible past and present of anti-Semitism”.
In a statement on the documenta website, Ruangrupa thanked him for the “constructive criticism and solidarity,” but also felt that he had been treated unfairly: “We have the feeling that many of the allegations were leveled against us without prior open exchange and mutual understanding learning was sought”. Ruangrupa also stressed: “We are here to stay and determined to keep this exhibition open against all odds.”
Who is responsible?
Meanwhile, the processing of the debacle is in full swing. The federal and state anti-Semitism commissioners demanded consequences and a clear naming of those responsible. “It is urgently necessary to determine who is responsible for dealing with anti-Semitic imagery and other anti-Jewish content,” said the federal-state commission for combating anti-Semitism and protecting Jewish life. It is important “to clarify the omissions and errors in the planning, preparation and implementation of the documenta and to draw conclusions”.
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (left), Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and the Director General of the documenta, Sabine Schormann, at the opening of the art show on June 18, 2022
After Chancellor Olaf Scholz declared that he would not be coming to documenta fifteen because of the events, Kassel's Lord Mayor Christian Geselle wrote a letter to the head of government. He considers Scholz's cancellation to be inappropriate, since the documenta is “quasi placed under general suspicion,” the newspaper “Hessische/Niedersächsische Allgemeine” quoted a city hall spokesman as saying. However, a visit by the Federal Chancellor is not an integral part of the documenta program. With a view to the anti-Semitism scandal, Scholz had declared that he did not want to visit the World Art Exhibition.
The authority of Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth supports the documenta financially
Director General does not want to resign
Despite several calls for her resignation, the Director General of the documenta
fifteen, Sabine Schormann, to hold on to her office. She wanted to “put the ship back on course,” she told the German Press Agency. In heavy seas, a captain does not disembark. The documenta selection committee, which Ruangrupa had invited, announced that they still stand by their selection of the Indonesian artist collective. “Overall, we found the presentations lavish, thought-provoking, lively and inviting. documenta fifteen presents a picture of a world made up of many worlds, without hierarchy or universalism,” said commission members Amar Kanwar, Charles Esche, Elvira Dyangani Ose , Frances Morris, Gabi Ngcobo, Jochen Volz, Philippe Pirotte and Ute Meta Bauer. Nevertheless, pictures reminiscent of Nazi caricatures should not have a place in the documenta.
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) had previously called for consequences for the structure of the art exhibition and presented a five-point plan. After that, the federal government wants more influence on the documenta.
The “documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH” is currently supported and financed as a non-profit company by the city of Kassel and the state of Hesse as shareholders. The Federal Cultural Foundation supports the world art show financially. In future, responsibilities should be “clearly defined and agreed”.
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documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
Return to sender
“Mitumba” is the African word for packages of old clothes that are donated by industrialized countries and end up on the markets of African countries. Parts of it are sold. This hurts the local markets. A lot ends up in the garbage. The “Nest” collective from Kenya turns the tables and sends back electronic waste and old clothes: “Return to Sender” is the name of the installation.
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documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
The Nest Collective Nairobi
The “Nest” collective from Kenya is committed to a new self-image of the African continent in relation to the global North. The members (photo) work on many topics, including the return of colonial art. The dystopian garbage installation in the Karlsaue is supplemented by a video that shows how Africa's economic exploitation continues unabated.
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documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
Tumbling Western arrogance off its pedestal
The Museum Fridericianum in Kassel is like a laboratory that invites you to participate. “Another Roadmap Africa Cluster” is an association of collectives from 22 cities. In workshops, the members develop a common knowledge base that should help to work through the consequences of colonialism. But it is also about asking how art can be communicated today.
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documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
Learn from Kenya
Wajukuu Art Project is a Nairobi-based collective. The documenta hall was transformed by the twelve members into a corrugated iron shack typical of the Lunga Lunga slum in Nairobi. Through a tunnel in which original sounds from Lunga Lunga can be heard, one enters the exhibition space, where there are works of art but also traditional objects of the collective.
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documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
Unity of art and life
As with almost all collectives, the Wajukuu Art Project is about changing society and achieving a better voice for everyone. Art is a means to an end. The Wajukuu Art Project was reconstructed in Kassel. It aims to motivate people to develop freely and at the same time creates new jobs through the production and sale of art.
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documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
Action comedy from Uganda
The film “Football Commando” is a mixture of karate action and chase. It's about human trafficking and a German soccer player who is looking for his son. Ramon Film Productions has been shooting no-budget films in Kampala since 2005. The actors and actresses come from the neighborhood where the Wakaliga Uganda film studio is located and have a say in the filming.
documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
Fondation sur le Festival de Niger
What the principle of lumbung is in Indonesia – i.e. the sharing of resources – is the Maaya philosophy at “Fondation sur le Festival de Niger”. Maaya regulates interaction in Malian society. At the documenta, works by young artists meet age-old traditions. On the one hand, young musicians perform, on the other hand, the tea ceremony invites all visitors to exchange ideas every evening.
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documenta 15: Africa's view of the world
Marionettes – Tradition and Modernity
200 masks and wooden puppets from Mali are presented by the Fondation sur le Festival Niger collective at the documenta. These characters are part of a cultural heritage that conveys myths and legends of the West African country. Yaya Coulibali from Cie Sogolon is passing this tradition on to today's generations.
A first resignation in the anti-Semitism dispute meanwhile there was at the documenta forum, a supporter committee of the art show that takes place every five years. Chairman Jörg Sperling resigned after he criticized the removal of the Taring Padi banner in a dpa interview and was criticized for it.
kt/sd/suc (dpa/epd)