Committee Loses Member Amidst Turmoil
The committee tasked with selecting the artistic director for Documenta 16, one of the world’s premier art festivals scheduled for 2027, faced a setback as Israeli artist, philosopher, and psychoanalyst Bracha L. Ettinger resigned last week. The six-person committee had been navigating controversy, including accusations of anti-Semitism and the challenging geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
Ettinger’s Departure
Ettinger’s resignation, as reported by Der Spiegel, was not directly tied to the controversy surrounding another committee member, Ranjit Hoskote, accused of endorsing anti-Israel sentiments. Instead, Ettinger cited the “dark times” affecting her home country, Israel, as the reason for her departure. The recent conflict and tragic events, including the October 7 Hamas attack, had made it challenging for her to attend committee meetings and contribute effectively.
Difficult Circumstances
Ettinger, based in Tel Aviv, requested a delay in committee meetings due to the ongoing conflict, but, reportedly, it could not be accommodated for procedural reasons. In her resignation letter, she expressed her ongoing concerns for the future of Documenta, stating, “Unfortunately, today I have the feeling that I can no longer contribute to this process.”
Controversy Surrounding Another Committee Member
The committee faced additional controversy with accusations against Ranjit Hoskote, an Indian poet and critic, who had signed a letter in 2019 associated with the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement. The letter compared Zionism in Israel to Hindu nationalism in India, leading to Documenta denouncing Hoskote and the committee releasing a statement in response.
Documenta’s Response
Documenta head Andreas Hoffmann labeled the letter as “anti-Semitic,” and Germany’s culture minister, Claudia Roth, condemned Hoskote, threatening to withdraw funding from Documenta. Hoskote defended himself, denying any anti-Semitic intent and highlighting the narrow perspective from which the claims were made.
Committee’s Future
The selection committee, comprising María Inés Rodríguez, Simon Njami, Kathrin Rhomberg, Gong Yan, along with the embattled members Ettinger and Hoskote, had initially planned to announce an artistic director by early 2024. However, these recent developments cast a shadow over the committee’s stability and raise questions about the future leadership of Documenta 16. The controversies surrounding the committee continue to unfold, adding complexity to the already intricate process of selecting an artistic director for this prominent art festival.
Feature Image Courtesy: El Pais
