Symposium in Kassel
November 17–18, 2023
Untere Karlsstraße 14
34117 Kassel
Germany
documenta fifteen (June 18 to September 25, 2022) formed the focal point of a debate on the present-day legacy of the Holocaust and colonialism. Now that some time has passed since the events of that time, documenta and Museum Fridericianum gGmbH would like to look forward from documenta fifteen, with a symposium conceived by the documenta Institute: What impact has documenta fifteen had on art, politics, and the public sphere?
In a series of talks, Nicole Deitelhoff, Klaus Holz, Yael Kupferberg, Thomas Macho, Meron Mendel, Armin Nassehi, Maria Neumann, and Natan Sznaider will take the floor. The event will be hosted by Heinz Bude.
The background for the symposium is a research project on documenta fifteen as a public event and place for discourse, led by Meron Mendel and Heinz Bude.
Schedule
Friday, November 17, 2023, 7–9pm
Admission from 6:30pm
7pm
Welcome Address
Andreas Hoffmann
Hosted by Heinz Bude
7:15–9pm
Module 1: German Conflicts of Interpretation?
With Nicole Deitelhoff and Meron Mendel
To kick things off, the art event documenta fifteen will be explored as a test case for changes in the political culture of the Federal Republic of Germany. What is non negotiable and in what respects are negotiations necessary?
Saturday, November 18, 2023, 10am–4pm
Admission from 9:30am
10–11:30am
Module 2: documenta as an Exhibition and Media Event
With Armin Nassehi and Klaus Holz
Next, we will look at the interferences between personal experience at documenta fifteen and the media coverage of documenta fifteen. What tensions, conflicts, and divisions have emerged in its reception?
12–1:30pm
Module 3: Israel and Global Unease
With Natan Sznaider and Thomas Macho
Drawing to a close, the unspoken implications of this debate are then addressed. In reaction to the critique of documenta fifteen, a distinction between a legitimate and an illegitimate “critique of Israel” was made. What unease is associated with the name Israel, and by whom?
1:30–2:30pm
Lunch break
2:30–4pm
Module 4: Art and its Contaminations
With Maria Neumann and Yael Kupferberg
Last but not least, the trail of contaminations is addressed within the history of the documenta exhibitions. Here, historical analysis collides with personal confrontations with the issue. What fears and what anxieties have the various documenta exhibitions generated in whom?
Venue
UK 14, Untere Karlsstr. 14
34117 Kassel, Germany
Free entrance. No registration required.
Limited seating capacity. Live broadcast to the foyer.
Livestreams
Friday November 17, 2023, 7–9pm
German / English
Saturday November 18, 2023, 10am–4pm
German / English
In German with simultaneous English translation.
