Documenta fifteen (June 18 to September 25, 2022) was the focal point of a debate on the present of the Holocaust and colonialism. With a certain distance to the events of that time, documenta und Museum Fridericianum gGmbH wants to look ahead from documenta fifteen with the symposium conceived by the documenta Institute: What impact has documenta fifteen had on art, politics and the public? In a series of talks, Nicole Deitelhoff, Klaus Holz, Yael Kupferberg, Thomas Macho, Meron Mendel, Armin Nassehi, Maria Neumann and Natan Sznaider will have their say. The event will be moderated by Heinz Bude.
The background for the symposium is a research project on documenta fifteen as a public event and place of discourse, led by Meron Mendel and Heinz Bude. It deals with the dispute over an exhibition of contemporary art and the question of what role a European-oriented modernity plays in a world society that can no longer be understood solely in terms of Europe. The publication of the research project is planned for summer 2024.
When: Friday, November 17, 7–9pm and Saturday, November 18, 10am–4pm
Where: UK 14, Untere Karlsstr. 14, 34117 Kassel
Admission free, no registration required. Limited seating capacity. Live broadcast in the anteroom. In German with simultaneous translation into English.
Live streaming:
Link on November 17, 2023, in Englisch: ttps://youtube.com/live/NaNSkpYjink
Link on November 18, 2023, in Englisch: https://youtube.com/live/ZrKu4_sKxD4
Program
Friday November 17, 2023
from 6:30pm
Admission
7:00pm
- Welcome: Andreas Hoffmann
- Greeting: Angela Dorn
- Moderation: Heinz Bude
7:15–9:00pm
Module 1: German conflicts of interpretation?
As a prelude, the art event of documenta fifteen will be examined as a test case for the change in the political culture of the Federal Republic of Germany. What is non-negotiable and in what respects are negotiations necessary?
- Nicole Deitelhoff
- Meron Mendel
Saturday November 18, 2023
from 9:30am
Admission
10–11:30am
Module 2: documenta as an exhibition and media event
Next, the focus will be on the interferences between the personal experience of documenta fifteen and the media coverage of documenta fifteen. What tensions, conflicts and divisions have arisen in the reception?
- Armin Nassehi
- Klaus Holz
12:00–1:30pm
Module 3: Israel and global unrest
Finally, the unspoken implications of the debate will be addressed. In reactions to the criticism of documenta fifteen, a distinction has been made between a legitimate and an illegitimate "critique of Israel". What unrest is associated with the name Israel and by whom?
- Natan Sznaider
- Thomas Macho
1:30–2:30pm
Lunch Break
2:30–4pm
Module 4: Art and its contamination
Last but not least, the trace of contamination in the history of the documenta exhibitions will be taken up. Here the historical analysis encounters the personal confrontation with the matter. What fears and anxieties have the various documenta exhibitions generated and in whom?
- Maria Neumann
- Yael Kupferberg
Further information can be found on the documenta Institute website.