- documenta
We have been appointed by the shareholders of documenta gGmbH as a scientific advisory panel to analyze those works that have been identified or discussed as anti-Semitic, examine how documenta fifteen has dealt with incidents of anti-Semitism, and develop proposals on how to prevent similar occurrences in future. Due to the ongoing controversy surrounding individual exhibits there is a particular urgency for consultation on specific problematic works. We have therefore now already submitted to the shareholders an initial assessment by the panel on this issue. This assessment relates to a work over which consensus prevails within the body as to the need for immediate action. More detailed analysis on the organizational structures of the Artistic Direction and on other works will follow at a later date.
At the level of the exhibited works, the most urgent task, in the panel’s view, is to stop the screening of the compilation of pro-Palestinian propaganda films from the 1960s-1980s by the collective Subversive Film, shown under the name Tokyo Reels Film Festival. What is highly problematic about this work are not only the film documents laced with anti-Semitic and anti-Zionist fragments, but also the artists’ comments inserted between the films, where the hatred of Israel and the glorification of terrorism featured in the source material is legitimized through their uncritical discussion. The historical propaganda material is not critically reflected upon – as it doubtless should be – but affirmed as a purportedly objective factual report. As a result, the films pose a greater danger in their potentially inciteful impact than the already removed People’s Justice work. Many of the films present Israel and its armed forces exclusively as perpetrators who deliberately attack civilians, especially women and children. By contrast, the Palestinian side is portrayed as innocent and defenseless. The repeated terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians are not mentioned here – nor in the entire exhibition – nor is the fact that Israel has been regularly attacked by the armies of Syria, Jordan and Egypt. Moreover, the one-sided negative portrayal of Israel turns into open anti-Semitism on several occasions. To cite but one example: Israel is accused of being “fascist” in nature and of carrying out “genocide” against the Palestinians – it is thus equated with National Socialist Germany. Equating Israeli policies with those of the Nazis in this way must be judged as anti-Semitic, for example, according to the definition of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which has been adopted by many nations, including some countries of the Global South. Also problematic is the genesis of the work. According to the documenta website, Masao Adachi played a role in entrusting Subversive Film with the film reels. Adachi was a member of the Japanese Red Army and collaborated with the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, two groups that carried out terrorist attacks against Israeli and other civilians, including the 1972 Lod Airport massacre where 26 people were murdered. A possible resumption of screenings of the films would only be conceivable if they were contextualized in a way that clarified the propaganda nature of the films, clearly identified their anti-Semitic elements, and corrected historical misrepresentations.
The panel is aware that documenta fifteen is exhibiting a multitude of outstanding and inspiring art works that it cannot take into consideration in its work. Its task consists of examining a selection of the works for their anti-Semitic content and clarifying why they are or were exhibited at documenta fifteen.