The American photographer Nan Goldin has an exhibition of her work in Berlin Criticism of Israel’s actions in the Gaza war opened and thus triggered sharp reactions on their part.
Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth (Greens) and Berlin Cultural Senator Joe Chialo (CDU) called Goldin’s comments unbearably one-sided. Both were outraged that pro-Palestinian activists temporarily shouted down a counter-speech by the director of the Neue Nationalgalerie, Klaus Biesenbach.
The Central Council of Jews was not very surprised when asked. Central Council President Josef Schuster criticized the Tagesspiegel: “If you invite BDS, you get BDS.”
The 71-year-old American Nan Goldin is one of the most renowned artists in contemporary photography. The Neue Nationalgalerie is dedicating a retrospective to her. The exhibition itself has nothing to do with the Middle East conflict.
Goldin began her nearly 14-minute speech with a four-minute pause to remember the deaths in the Palestinian territories, Lebanon and Israel. In the speech she said: “I have decided to use this exhibition as a platform to express my moral outrage over the genocide in Gaza and Lebanon.” Germany is home to the largest Palestinian diaspora in Europe. “Yet protests are being fought with police dogs,” she said.
Reference to Jewish ancestors
“Are you afraid to hear that, Germany? This is a war on children,” Goldin said. She comes from a Jewish family herself. “My grandparents escaped the pogroms in Russia. I grew up knowing about the Nazi Holocaust. What I see in Gaza reminds me of the pogroms my grandparents escaped from.”
Goldin also said: “The entire infrastructure of Palestine has been destroyed. The hospitals, the schools, the universities, the libraries. It is also a cultural genocide. Why can’t you see that, Germany?”
National Gallery director gives a counter-speech
Goldin’s speech was applauded by parts of the audience. Museum director Biesenbach wanted to reply, but could hardly be heard because of the chanting activists. Among other things, they chanted for the “freedom of Palestine”. When the situation calmed down, Biesenbach read the speech again.
“Our work is based on fundamental values that cannot be negated,” he said. “For us, Israel’s right to exist is beyond question. Hamas’ attack on the Jewish state on October 7, 2023 was a cruel act of terrorism that cannot be justified in any way.” He added: “At the same time, we sympathize with the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon, whose suffering cannot be overlooked. “
“Unbearably one-sided views”
Minister of State for Culture Roth said: “I am horrified at how the director of the Neue Nationalgalerie was shouted down.” This is absolutely unacceptable. Goldin’s artistic work is meritorious. But she rejects “the political activist’s unbearably one-sided views on Israel,” emphasized the Green politician.
Berlin’s Senator for Culture Chialo also said: “I do not share Nan Goldin’s position and find her statements hardly acceptable. In our city of Berlin, where the Holocaust was planned and which now stands for freedom, such a one-sidedness that forgets history is unacceptable.” The aggressive audience showed a lack of willingness for peaceful dialogue. “We will not give in to these radical statements,” said Chialo.
Hermann ParzingerPresident of the Prussian Cultural Heritage Foundation, to which the National Gallery belongs, also strongly condemned Goldin’s statements and the protest against the counter-speech. “That is not our understanding of freedom of expression.” Biesenbach commented again after the opening: “The Neue Nationalgalerie clearly distances itself from the statements of the protesters and makes it clear that it stands for freedom of expression and respectful dialogue and interaction with one another. “
Goldin’s major retrospective entitled “This Will Not End Well” can be seen at the Neue Nationalgalerie in Berlin until April 6, 2025. The exhibition shows Goldin’s life’s work with slide shows and films, accompanied by pieces of music and soundtracks. An accompanying symposium is planned for Sunday. Roth emphasized that she rejects calls for a boycott of this event. She hopes for an open and civilized debate. (swi/dpa)