Controversial mural at documenta: First consequences after the anti-Semitism scandal

Created: 06/24/2022, 11:44 am

By: Florian Dörr

The scaffolding at the documenta in Kassel, on which the anti-Semitic artwork by the Taring Padi collective previously hung, is now empty.

© Uwe Zucchi/dpa

Anti-Semitic depictions at the documenta in Kassel cause horror.

Consequences are now being drawn in various places.

Kassel - The curating collective of the documenta in Kassel has apologized in a written statement for the anti-Semitic depictions at the world art show.

"We all failed to detect the anti-Semitic figures in the work," Ruangrupa wrote on Thursday (June 23) on the documenta website.

"It is our fault.

We apologize for the disappointment, shame, frustration, betrayal and shock we have caused to viewers."

Background: A work of art by the Indonesian collective Taring Padi, classified as anti-Semitic, was dismantled after a few days at the documenta.

Previously, there had been anti-Semitism allegations against the curating collective Ruangrupa from Indonesia for months, as reported by hna.de.

Kassel: Director General Schormann "still believes in this documenta"

"As we now fully understand, this imagery seamlessly ties into the most horrific episode in German history, in which Jewish people were attacked and murdered on an unprecedented scale," Ruangrupa wrote further about the work.

"We take this opportunity to educate ourselves on the gruesome past and present of anti-Semitism and are shocked that this character made it into the work in question."

Meanwhile, the director general of the documenta in Kassel, Sabine Schormann, is sticking to her post - despite numerous calls for her resignation in the face of the anti-Semitism scandal.

"I take my job as it was given to me responsibly and still believe in this documenta," said Schormann on Thursday in Kassel.

Ultimately, however, the decision lies in the hands of the responsible persons and committees.

But: "In such a situation, nothing can be ruled out." First, however, it must be a matter of working through the processes and "getting the ship back on course," she emphasized.

"And in heavy seas, a captain doesn't disembark.

That's how I see my role at this point, I'm responsible for organizing the exhibition and I've initiated further measures."

Controversial mural: previous chairman of the documenta forum resigns

Meanwhile, the documenta forum has distanced itself from its previous chairman.

This, Jörg Sperling, then also resigned on Thursday (June 23) with immediate effect.

The differences are based on a conversation between Sperling and the German Press Agency.

He had criticized the fact that Taring Padi's work of art, which was perceived as anti-Semitic, was taken down at the Kassel art exhibition "due to political pressure".

"A free world has to endure this," said Sperling.

The documenta forum meanwhile "expressly" regrets Sperling's statements.

The interview had not been coordinated with the other board members.

"These and all other statements in the interview only reflect the personal, unauthorized opinion of Jörg Sperling," it said.

The other members of the board considered "image representations in the style of 'Stürmer' absolutely unacceptable," said the forum.

(dpa/fd)