Statement in support of documenta fifteen

The L'Internationale confederation stands in full support of the artists, lumbung partners and the artistic direction of documenta fifteen.

The current edition of documenta is founded on the principles and practice of resource sharing and equality, values that are shared by all of the L'Internationale partners. The collective practice presented across the exhibition offers inspiring examples of how communities and collaborations are facing some of the most pressing challenges of our time – the climate emergency, rights to land, food, and equity across societies – as well as coming to terms with the legacies of violent histories of colonial extraction. The exhibition generatively proposes art practice and working together as tools to ‘face the world’.

It is saddening and shocking to see the treatment of artists and curators in the exhibition based on division. The aggressive press response in Germany is creating a fearful atmosphere, while the exhibition itself is a joyful proposition for unity. Ruangrupa have apologized for the mistakes which have been made. The ongoing attempts to humiliate artists and curators goes beyond any justified criticism.

Documenta fifteen brings together the work of 1500 artists, many of them working together over decades. We call for a return of respect, empathy and hospitality towards all their extraordinary efforts, an acceptance of the apology and a concerted effort to allow the German and international public to discover documenta fifteen for themselves.

We encourage visitors to read the recent statement of ruangrupa here.

The statement of the selection committee here.

And a petition in support of ruangrupa and documenta fifteen here.

L’Internationale Confederation