The anti-Semitism scandal surrounding documenta fifteen, the recent resignation of the search committee for the artistic direction of documenta 16: the world art exhibition in Kassel is facing major challenges. “Our goal must be to show that it is still possible to present critical art in Germany,” said managing director Andreas Hoffmann.
“We must ensure artistic freedom and at the same time make it clear that the documenta is taking place in a country with a history – in the country that invented the Shoah with the cruel murder of six million Jews.”
Hoffmann: Regain trust
In this situation, which is unique in the history of the documenta, the main thing must be to regain trust. The search committee’s reasons for its resignation clearly indicate doubts as to whether there is currently a sufficient framework in Germany to present critical art. “Obviously there is the reservation of censorship or of making debate impossible,” said Hoffmann.
With a view to the upcoming documenta, Hoffmann emphasized: “One thing is clear: There must not and will be no preliminary review of art by management or committees. In the case of contributions that turn out to be anti-Semitic or show other content that points to the area of group-specific humanity , we have the opportunity for direct dialogue, contextualization and – but only within the framework of criminal law relevance – to remove works from the exhibition in extreme cases, even against the will of the artistic director.”
Search committee resigned
Last year’s documenta fifteen was already overshadowed by an anti-Semitism scandal. After renewed allegations of anti-Semitism against a member of the search committee for the artistic direction of documenta 16, this member and later the entire search committee resigned in mid-November.
Along with the Venice Biennale, the documenta is considered the most important exhibition for contemporary art. The 16th edition of the show is scheduled to take place in Kassel from June 12th to September 19th, 2027.
