The Schelling Architecture Foundation, a leading German institution awarding contributions to architectural theory, has rescinded its biennial award from British artist and writer James Bridle. Bridle, a prominent supporter of a cultural boycott of Israeli institutions, characterized the decision announced just two days prior to the award ceremony as punitive.
In June 2024, Bridle of Athens received the prize of €10,000 along with an award for their “outstanding contributions to architectural theory.” But on Sunday, the foundation emailed Bridle to tell him that the committee had voted unanimously as a result of his having signed an open letter which featured in LitHub in October. The letter, signed by thousands of supporters, urged a ban on Israeli cultural institutions that participate in so-called ‘oppression of the Palestinians.
The foundation ultimately defended its decision, saying it could not ignore “actions that contradicted the specific requirements of awareness of Germany’s national history.” This is part of the Bundestsatzung resolution passed recently in the Bundestag, which Germany rightfully – albeit belatedly – condemned to suppress antisemitism. Although not legally binding, the resolution focuses on organizations and projects deemed as being supportive of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign or challenging Israel’s right to exist. So, what are the critics saying, including Jewish intellectuals and international organizations like Amnesty International, which claim the resolution could stifle valid critiques of Israeli policy?
Bridle wrote in ArtReview that he did not think it should be up to artists to behave “better and ethically than the multimillion-pound institutions and organizations they rely on.”In a statement following the decision by the foundation, Bridle said: Their job is to do so in an ethical way — and, you know, to actually be aware of the work of who you are giving grants to.
Bridle, whose award-winning book Ways of Being features accounts of Israel’s separation wall in the West Bank, added that “our foundation would have it that causes and politics can be separate, but they cannot.” The revocation of the award comes amid continued friction in the international arts scene as institutions grapple with their increasingly complex roles around ethical obligations, political activism and historical context.
Feature Image: Vortrag James Bridle auf der re:publica 2015 am 05.05.2015 in Berlin. Copyright: re:publica/Gregor Fischer
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