Documenta Director Resigns Following Anti-Semitic Artwork Controversy

Sabine Schormann, general director of Documenta since 2018, has resigned after sustained criticism over anti-Semitic imagery in a work by Indonesian collective Taring Padi. The banner featured racist caricatures of Jewish people and was initially covered before being removed with cooperation from curators ruangrupa and the artists. Prior to her departure, Schormann expressed regret that the work was installed at all, calling it 'enormously painful.' She had argued that removing the piece against artistic direction would interfere with artistic freedom. The curatorial team ruangrupa apologized for collectively failing to prevent the incident. Meron Mendel, head of the Anne Frank Educational Institute and an advisor, also resigned from his role. Artist Hito Steyerl demanded removal of her work from Documenta, stating she had 'no faith' in organizers' efforts to address antisemitism. Before the exhibition opened, ruangrupa and contributors faced accusations of anti-Semitism due to criticism of Israel and support for BDS. The exhibition's board supported Schormann's contract termination following their report.