The chairman of the documenta forum, Jörg Sperling, has criticized the removal of the work of art, which has been criticized as anti-Semitic, at the Kassel art exhibition.
"A free world must endure this," he said.
The accusation of anti-Semitism has accompanied documenta fifteen since the beginning of the year.
The issue has now “escalated” thanks to the large-scale work “People's Justice” by the Indonesian artist collective Taring Padi.
The plant was taken down on Tuesday “due to political pressure”.
This debate is about politics, not art.
The picture is a caricature and, in his opinion, covered by artistic freedom.
“Art raised an issue that is outside of art: the relationship between Palestinians and Israelis.
Art cannot solve this problem, and documenta cannot solve it either.”
Pig-faced soldier
Sperling categorically rejects claims that the works of art on display should have been checked in advance.
"That would be censorship." In view of the number of objects on display at more than 30 locations, this is not affordable.
On the other hand, it contradicts the idea of the documenta.
With the Indonesian collective Ruangrupa, a conscious decision was made this year to invite a different view of art and culture: collectively, from the global South, away from the art market.
"Now you have to accept that these people have a different view of the world."
Taring Padi's work included a pig-faced soldier.
He wears a scarf with a Star of David and a helmet with the inscription "Mossad" - the name of the Israeli foreign intelligence service.
This triggered heavy criticism.