“The wildest nightmares surpassed” – Josef Schuster accuses Roth of breaching his word
The German internist and President of the Central Council of Jews Josef Schuster
Source: Marlene Gawrisch/WORLD/MARLENE GAWRISCH
The anti-Semitism at the Documenta exceeded the “wildest nightmares” of Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews. He explained this in an interview, in which he also raised serious allegations against Claudia Roth, who had not kept the promises.
Dhe President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, has made serious accusations against leading politicians because of the anti-Semitic works of art at the Documenta Fifteen. Contrary to an assurance from Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) in a conversation in May, clearly anti-Semitic pictures appeared at the Kassel art exhibition. Roth admitted: “Perhaps I should have been louder and clearer in the discussions leading up to the opening of the Documenta.”
Central Council President Schuster told the “RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland” that the anti-Semitism at the art exhibition had “exceeded his wildest nightmares”. Perhaps Roth was “too naïve” and “was betrayed”. However, the Hessian Art Minister Angela Dorn (Greens) and Kassel’s Lord Mayor Christian Geselle (SPD) initially either “dismissed” the warnings or “understood nothing at all” and thus “ultimately did the city a disservice”.
Roth himself, in turn, told Stern magazine: “The exhibition of such clearly anti-Semitic works should not have happened.” The explanation as to how this could have happened is still pending. Even if she doesn’t bear any direct responsibility, she is aware “that it’s not enough if I say: I couldn’t do more.”
This year’s documenta has been overshadowed by accusations of anti-Semitism since the preparatory phase. Shortly after the exhibition opened in mid-June, the “People’s Justice” banner by the Indonesian artist collective Taring Padi was taken down because of anti-Semitic motifs. Later, drawings by the Syrian artist Burhan Karkoutly with anti-Semitic imagery became known. The general director of the art show, Sabine Schormann, was recalled and a council of experts was appointed.
Schuster: Already expressed concern in the spring
Schuster said: “We already expressed our concern in the spring with regard to the Ruangrupa artist collective, which curates the Documenta, that Israel-related anti-Semitism could arise.” would be issued on the grounds that they were not legally contestable. “Because nobody said that this anti-Semitism is criminally relevant. But anti-Semitism starts well below this limit,” said the President of the Central Council.
Roth rejected the argument that the works should be viewed from the cultural context of the respective artists. “That anti-Semitism in Indonesia is something different than here in Germany. That’s really nonsense,” said the Green politician, adding: “Anti-Semitism is and will remain anti-Semitism, whether in Indonesia, in Turkey or anywhere else.”