A German museum has canceled an exhibition by artist Candice Breitz, planned for 2024, in response to her statements on the violence in Gaza. Breitz, born in South Africa and now based in Berlin, is Jewish and her work often explores social issues. The exhibition was to feature "TLDR", a video installation about sex workers in Cape Town, which has been shown globally.
Breitz learned of the cancellation through a media report, which cited the museum's concerns about her comments in the context of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. In her response, Breitz criticized the decision as antisemitic and reflective of a broader problem in Germany, where she feels there's a rush to condemn Jewish viewpoints without due process or open dialogue. She referenced American philosopher Susan Neiman’s concept of "philosemitic McCarthyism" to describe the situation.
Breitz's statements, made on social media, called for a ceasefire in Gaza and condemned the actions of both Hamas and Israeli leaders. She expressed empathy for Israeli civilians while criticizing Israeli policies and the leadership of Benjamin Netanyahu, as well as the oppressive actions of Hamas in Gaza.
This incident is part of a larger pattern in Germany where events and exhibitions related to individuals making pro-Palestine statements have been canceled. This includes a Berlin conference on National Socialism and antisemitism, co-led by Breitz, which was canceled after the October 7 attack by Hamas. The German photography biennial also withdrew its involvement with artist Shahidul Alam over his accusations against Israel, and in Essen, an exhibition was altered due to curator Anais Duplan's stance on Palestinian liberation.
The controversy around Breitz's canceled exhibition highlights a complex and sensitive situation in Germany. It raises questions about the role of art in political discourse, freedom of expression, and the challenges of addressing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in a country still grappling with its own historical context of the Holocaust. Breitz's situation also points to the broader issue of how institutions respond to political pressures and the delicate balance between artistic freedom and political sensitivities.
Jean Dubreil