- documenta Institut
- documenta
Dear media representatives,
We cordially invite you to the presentation of the anthology edited by Meron Mendel and Heinz Bude
Art in Controversy. Antisemitism and Postcolonial Debate at documenta fifteen.
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
7 pm, admission from 6.30 pm
Fridericianum
Friedrichsplatz 18, 34117 Kassel
The volume Kunst im Streit (Art in Dispute) is the result of the research project Antisemitism and Postcolonial Debates on the Example of documenta fifteen (2022-2023) led by Heinz Bude and Meron Mendel. It analyzes the dynamics of the postcolonial discourse on rights of speech and silence, on fundamental taboos of representation and necessary visualizations, on the condemnation of hatred of Jews and indignation about racism around documenta 15. It also takes into account the immediate prehistory of the art show, the role of the city of Kassel as documenta city, the significance of "criticism of Israel" in the postcolonial discourse, and the question of the boundaries of art and the associated ideas of anti-Semitism and postcoloniality.
Heinz Bude, sociologist and founding director of the documenta Institute, explains: "The volume provides information about an art event that has divided the global art world like no other, and it sums up the cumulative contamination of a world art show as a result of clumsiness, omission, incomprehension and lack of reference. It is not just a review of the debates of 2022, but also an analysis of the mechanisms that fuel such escalations: Who is allowed to speak, who must remain silent? Which historical traumas are negotiable - and which are considered untouchable? documenta 15 was a focal point for these questions. In this volume, we examine political, cultural and social dynamics that will also shape future art events."
Meron Mendel, educator and director of the Anne Frank Educational Center, states: "documenta has always been a place where art meets politics - but rarely has the debate been as fierce as at documenta 15. The controversy not only shook up an art exhibition, but also raised fundamental questions about the limits of artistic freedom, collective responsibility and the mechanisms of public outrage. It is not enough to dismiss these events as a one-off crisis. We must learn from them: how can we prevent such escalations from happening again? And how can we preserve art as a space for critical reflection without compromising fundamental values such as the fight against anti-Semitism and racism? The volume Kunst im Streit is a necessary contribution to this debate."
Sven Schoeller, Chairman of the Supervisory Board of documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH and Lord Mayor of the City of Kassel, emphasizes: "documenta 15 has developed into a particular touchstone: for artistic freedom, for the human dignity to be protected, for curatorial and operational responsibility and for social cohesion. The anthology presented by Prof. Bude and Prof. Mendel makes it very clear that the freedom of art requires a responsible framework - and it clearly underlines the need for spaces for socio-political discourse at eye level and for solidarity-based debate in a - fortunately - diverse society."
Timon Gremmels, Hessian Minister for Science and Research, Art and Culture, explains: "I would like to thank Mr. Bude and Mr. Mendel warmly for the anthology Kunst im Streit, which emerged from their important research project on anti-Semitism and post-colonialism at documenta 15, which was funded by my ministry. The volume sheds light on the events, background and reception of the anti-Semitism controversy from various perspectives. I particularly appreciate the interdisciplinary cooperation with the Frankfurt University of Applied Sciences, the Anne Frank Educational Center and the documenta Institute, which provide us with valuable academic impulses for cultural policy and the cultural sector. This debate is essential in order to confront the challenges of anti-Semitism in our society and especially in the cultural sector."
As Managing Director of documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH, Andreas Hoffmann welcomes the intensive examination of the conditions of public speech and the effects on the concept of freedom in art and emphasizes: "documenta is a learning institution and a place of learning. This makes it all the more important to collect the experiences that artists, cultural producers and visitors offer and perceive themselves on the documenta platforms, to process them scientifically and make them productive for new discourses and audiences."
7 – 8.30 pm Talk and Q&A with Heinz Bude and Meron Mendel
Moderation: Saskia Trebing (Monopol)
Followed by a get-together in the Rotunda.
No registration required. Admission is free.
