Statement in support of ruangrupa and documenta fifteen 

We, an international community of artists, curators, art professionals and institutions, are deeply dismayed by the attempts to delegitimize ruangrupa and the artists in documenta fifteen.

Their admirable approach to collectivity as well as resource and knowledge sharing underpins the values of this edition. It has been an inspiration to those who have experienced it on the ground. Their radicality in toppling hierarchical structures and the sheer joy, energy, generosity and love that they have brought to documenta should be a celebration of the possibilities that art can create. The important and urgent issues that this edition foregrounds around climate change, land rights, food politics, censorship and authoritarianism deserve to be given a fair and generous hearing. We acknowledge that the show requires more debate and open dialogue. The incident surrounding one work, while significant to discuss, should not be allowed to overshadow the achievements of the exhibition as a whole.

Therefore, we express our support for ruangrupa, the artistic team of documenta fifteen, and the lumbung artists community and fully endorse their statement and that of the finding committee. We stand by art forms that open up discourse, bring people and communities together, embrace debate and new perspectives. The artistic message of documenta fifteen is one of solidarity, of hope and the possibility of imagining new futures.

Herewith we state our support by signing with our name and simultaneously express our position against antisemitism and all forms of racism. 

June 2022