Documenta 15 entered a major institutional crisis in 2022 after antisemitic imagery was identified in People’s Justice, a large banner by the Indonesian collective Taring Padi.
The controversy led to the work’s removal, the resignation of Documenta director Sabine Schormann and renewed scrutiny of how the international exhibition handled warnings raised before its opening.
A mural removed after public criticism
The banner included a soldier depicted as a pig wearing a Star of David scarf and a helmet marked “Mossad.” Another figure used stereotypical features associated with antisemitic caricature and wore a hat bearing an SS symbol.
The work had first been shown in Australia in 2002, but its presentation in Germany prompted objections from Jewish organisations, artists, politicians and Israel’s embassy.
Documenta initially covered sections of the banner before removing the entire work. Taring Padi apologised for the harm caused and stated that the images had not been intended as antisemitic.
A failure of review and dialogue
German culture minister Claudia Roth described the mural as containing clearly antisemitic elements. Artist Hito Steyerl withdrew her work from the exhibition.
Schormann and the curatorial collective ruangrupa acknowledged that the exhibition had failed to keep its commitment to prevent antisemitic content from appearing. Her departure followed less than a month into the 100-day event.
The planned involvement of Frankfurt’s Anne Frank Educational Center also broke down. Its director, Meron Mendel, ended his advisory role, arguing that he had not received sufficient access or institutional support to conduct a meaningful review.
The crisis extended beyond one artwork. It raised questions about curatorial responsibility, advance warnings, freedom of expression and the obligations of a publicly prominent exhibition in Germany.