Documenta first came under scrutiny in January, when German group Alliance Against Anti-Semitism accused Kassel’s five-year anniversary of “involving anti-Israel activists” in this year’s edition, organized by the Indonesian group Ruangrupa. Documenta vehemently denied allegations of anti-Semitism, some of which were picked up by major German publications.
In response to the controversy, Documenta said it will organize a series of events addressing anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and racism. Entitled “We need to talk!” The series’ stated goal is to “focus on the blank spots in the German debate about anti-Semitism and racism.” Its first event is scheduled for May 8.
Related Articles
at letter Writing to German Culture Minister Claudia Roth, Josef Schuster, head of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, accused the Documenta event of having a “clear bias against anti-Semitism” with the event. The German News Agency (DPA) was the first to report the message.
According to the German news agency (dpa), Schuster’s message centered around an event planned for May 22, focusing on “racism against Muslims and Palestinians,” according to his description. “Only clear commitments and more, decisive political action at every level of politics, art, culture, and society help combat anti-Semitism,” Schuster wrote. “No one may absolve themselves of this responsibility – not even in the name of artistic freedom.”
A representative of Documenta ARTnews They do not plan to make changes to “We need to talk!” After the criticism, the forum was said to also plan to address “the origins of the sweeping and sometimes racist attacks on the Technical Team of the 15th Document”.
A Documenta spokesperson said: “Anti-Semitism is the obvious theme of two of our three events.”. “The members of the commission, including those from Israel, were selected on the basis of their academic experience and reflect a wide range of opinions as evidenced by their published work. As should be the case for such an event, they are all united in their commitment to combating anti-Semitism.”
“The series of events will focus on the differences and overlaps between anti-Semitism and racism,” the Documenta statement continued. “The question of whether postcolonial theory has failed to recognize the specificity of anti-Semitism will also be explored.”
[ad_2]
