documenta 15, KASSEL, GERMANY (JUNE 18, 2022)

Frank-Walter Steinmeier told an audience of dignitaries and artists that while art “must not be likable” and that criticism against Israel was permitted, “the limit is exceeded” if criticism against Israel “turns into questioning its existence.”

Steinmeier said it was “striking that at this major exhibition of contemporary art, there are no Jewish artists from Israel represented here.”

The German head of state, who holds a largely ceremonial role, told listeners that he had hesitated to attend the opening even though it was customary for the president to open the art show since the first documenta in 1955.

Near the vast exhibition grounds, two protest groups had gathered, one in support of the Palestinian cause, the other to side with Israel. 

One of Europe’s most important art exhibitions, ‘documenta 15’ is held once every five years.

SOUNDBITES

GERMAN PRESIDENT, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING:

“We all know that you can’t have art free of disputes. A democratic society must not patronize artists and certainly not exploit them. Art has no political mission and politics do not decide on the fate of art. Art however can (gestures) get society to get involved in a discussion, a discussion we all urgently need, a discussion striving for clarification.” (gestures)

GERMAN PRESIDENT, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING:

“As the German president, I want to underline for my country: Israel’s recognition is the basis and the prerequisite for a debate here. I will happily repeat that art must not be likable. It can be provocative and it should start debates. Even more, the freedom of speech and the freedom of art are pillars of our constitution. Criticism against Israel is permitted but where criticism against Israel turns into questioning its existence, the limit is exceeded.”

GERMAN PRESIDENT, FRANK-WALTER STEINMEIER, SAYING:

“It is striking that at this major exhibition of contemporary art there are no Jewish artists from Israel represented here. It irritates me when outside of this exhibition, representatives of the global south increasingly refuse to participate in events or festivals where Jewish Israelis are represented. A boycott of Israel, let me say that, is equal to denying its existence.”

PRO-PALESTINIAN DEMO ORGANISER, ULRICH RESTAT, SAYING:

“Israel is an Apartheid state and the situation is the worst in the Gaza Strip. People there are practically prisoners with whom the Israelis can do what they want.”

PRO-ISRAEL PROTESTER, ATZE MORGENROTH, SAYING:

“Extreme Palestinian groups are a part of documenta and they have a right to be if Israelis are allowed to stand next to them. But the fact that Israelis have been disinvited to me is crossing the line. A lot of groups at documenta are openly calling for a boycott. It’s unacceptable that tax money is used for this.”

PRO-ISRAEL PROTESTER, KLAUS URBAN, SAYING:

“It’s my civil duty to be here and to call attention to this grievance. I am here with a few friends and we have already attended several events against anti-Semitism across Germany because it’s simply unacceptable.”

Via Reuters