Claudia Roth must take the criticism of the Central Council of Jews seriously
What does Claudia Roth answer to Josef Schuster’s criticism?
Source: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-Zentralbild/Sebastian Kahnert, MARLENE GAWRISCH
Is the Documenta blocking the debate about the anti-Semitism of its artists? This is suggested by a letter that the President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, Josef Schuster, wrote to Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth. Dealing with the allegation gives a deep insight.
Dhe Documenta does not want to come to rest. In January, allegations were made that some of the artists participating in the major exhibition in Kassel might represent anti-Semitic or anti-Israeli positions. In particular, the Palestinian collective The Question of Funding has come under criticism for collaborating with a cultural center named after Khalil al-Sakakini – an Arab Hitler sympathizer and propagandist of the violent struggle against the establishment of the State of Israel. Other Documenta actors are close to the Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions (BDS) initiative, which the German Bundestag classified as anti-Semitic in 2019.
The management of the Documenta rejected this and emphasized that these allegations prevented “a critical dialogue and a productive debate”. She firmly rejects anti-Semitism, as well as – named equally – “racism, extremism, Islamophobia and any form of violent fundamentalism”.
With reference to the fundamental right of artistic freedom, the documenta also defended itself “against external interventions in this artistic freedom”. The exhibition organizers received support from the Minister of State for Culture, Claudia Roth, who made it clear that anti-Semitism had “no place” in Germany and at the Documenta.
A letter that Josef Schuster, President of the Central Council of Jews in Germany, wrote to the Green Party politician was apparently understood as such an external intervention. The German Press Agency (dpa) even described the letter as an incendiary letter.
Schuster had only found clear words: “Against anti-Semitism, only clear commitments and, even more so, decisive political action at every level of politics, art, culture and society can help,” said Schuster. “No one may acquit themselves of this responsibility – not even in the name of artistic freedom.”
The Central Council has waited a long time to take a position in the debate about the Documenta and is probably confident that the widespread criticism will be taken seriously in Kassel. Finally, as a reaction, the Documenta announced the expert forum “We need to talk!”, the program of which was presented two weeks ago. When the announcement was made, the general director of the Documenta, Sabine Schormann, swore that the series of talks was intended to “create the framework for a multi-perspective debate beyond one-sided antagonisms”. In doing so, “contradictions could be endured and productively discussed”.
Sabine Schormann, General Director of Documenta (left), handing over a new location for “documenta fifteen”
Quelle: picture alliance/dpa
According to Schuster, however, those responsible are not interested in a real exchange and the integration of the perspective of the Jewish community. The intention of the forum to deal with anti-Semitism in general and Israel-related anti-Semitism is neglected. Schuster criticizes “a clear bias” when filling the podiums and regrets that the Central Council’s expertise was not taken into account – despite repeated inquiries from the Documenta management. Instead, Schuster was “surprised that the topic of anti-Palestinian racism found its way into the program.”
You have to endure contradiction at many art exhibitions, mostly the better ones. And nobody can have anything against productive discussions – they only take place when different points of view meet. But what causes concern about the upcoming Documenta is the callousness with which it blocks criticism and does not listen to views that hinder its own worldview.
Why, for example, is the accusation of promoting anti-Semitic or anti-Israel positions not finally dispelled? Instead, the criticism is countered in an equalizing manner, saying that the Documenta also does not want to give “any stage” for “generalizing statements about people with a Muslim or other background”.
It is also irritating how reflexively those responsible for politics protect the undignified communication of the documenta. Kassel’s Lord Mayor Christian Geselle (SPD) stands in loyalty to the Nibelungen behind Schormann and the curator collective Ruangrupa. Hesse’s Minister of Art, Angela Dorn (Greens), also immediately rejected the criticism of the Central Council of Jews and offered talks.
But if you believe Josef Schuster, offers of talks from the Central Council are not listened to. Six weeks before the opening of the exhibition, the President of the Central Council wants to be sure that “no anti-Semitic works of art will be exhibited and no anti-Semitism and hatred of Israel will be propagated” as part of the Documenta.
To this day, the Documenta management seems either unwilling or unable to ensure this. And Claudia Roth still lets her do it. “Unfortunately, we were not informed about the further progress from your house either,” the Central Council is quoted as saying. From June 18, 2022, it will therefore be necessary to examine all the more closely which artistic – but also other – contributions will have found their place on the stage of this 15th documenta.