Claudia Roth: documenta needs a "credible new start"
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) is calling for a new start for the documenta art exhibition. Following the resignation of the entire selection committee, Roth said on Friday: "We now need a credible new start, and documenta must also be repositioned with regard to its organizational structures." The federal government is prepared to work on the reorganization.
Roth said that she could understand the Finding Committee's decision: "Without sensible structures and clear chains of responsibility, their difficult task could hardly be accomplished." The committee was to determine the artistic director for the next documenta in Kassel. After two members had previously resigned, the remaining four also gave up on Thursday. According to documenta, the background to this is the ongoing "polarizing debates" surrounding the art show.
Roth said that she very much welcomed the fact "that documenta GmbH is first dealing with its own fundamental redefinition and structural reform before planning for the 2027 edition begins". The federal government is willing to work on a reorganization. She will talk to the Mayor of Kassel in the coming days and - as soon as the government formation in Hesse is complete - also with the Ministry of Art.
"The documenta is one of the most important exhibitions of contemporary art, which is also a showcase for Germany in the world," said Roth. "We need art more than ever, we need protected spaces for art, we need its debates and impulses for an open society."
The history of documenta exhibitions has been marked by significant events, and a new credible start is necessary to reposition it in its organizational structures. This new beginning aligns with the importance of documenta, as it's not just one of the world's major contemporary art exhibitions, but also a reflection of Germany's cultural identity.
Moving forward, it's essential to revisit the past exhibitions and their accompanying art exhibitions, as they have played a significant role in shaping the global art landscape and Germany's cultural narrative.
Source: www.dpa.com
