The process of appointing an artistic director for Documenta 16, the 2027 edition of one of the well-known art festivals, faced a setback last week with the resignation of a key committee member.
Bracha L. Ettinger’s Departure
Reported by Der Spiegel, an Israeli artist, Bracha L. Ettinger, philosopher, and psychoanalyst, resigned from the committee. With art enthusiasts linking her departure to the controversy surrounding another member accused of endorsing an alleged “anti-Semitic” letter, Ettinger said the challenging circumstances in her home country as the primary reason for her decision.
Turbulent Times in Tel Aviv
Based in Tel Aviv, Ettinger faced considerable difficulty attending committee meetings following the October 7 events. This tragic event claimed the lives of 1,400 Israelis and involved the hostage-taking of over 200 individuals. Resulting of Israel’s airstrikes and ground invasion in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 11,000 Palestinians reported by the local health ministry, Ettinger found herself unable to travel for meetings with fellow committee members. Her request to postpone a meeting due to these circumstances was denied for “procedural reasons,” according to Der Spiegel.
A Resignation Born out of Concerns
Expressing her concerns in a resignation letter, Ettinger revealed, “The future Documenta has been constantly on my mind for the last seven months. We all worked hard. Unfortunately, today I have the feeling that I can no longer contribute to this process.” She didn’t shy away from addressing the conflict directly, stating, “Innocent civilians suffered and died, and my heart weeps for every death on all sides. Every life is precious.”
Documenta’s Response
In response to Ettinger’s departure, Documenta head Andreas Hoffmann released a statement on Monday. He acknowledged and respected her “decisive actions and arguments” and expressed condolences, recognizing the challenges. Hoffmann thanked Bracha Lichtenberg Ettinger for her ” willingness to support us in these difficult times.”
Documenta 16’s Denouncement of Another Committee Member
Coinciding with Ettinger’s resignation, Documenta also addressed Ranjit Hoskote, an Indian poet and critic on the committee. A statement released on the same day denounced Hoskote, revealing that in 2019, he had signed a letter by the Indian division of Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS), a movement advocating for the rights and liberation of Palestinians. The letter drew parallels between Zionism in Israel and Hindu nationalism in India.
