Society for Threatened Peoples contradicts documenta-maker Buergel and demands responsibility from Art

The guiding principles of the documenta 12 developed by Roger M. Buergel "Is modernity our antiquity? What is bare life? What is to be done?” have caused the Society for Threatened Peoples (GfbV) to produce an energetic contradiction: "Modernity is not a closed chapter, for genocide and totalitarianism are commonplace in the 21st century.” With a vigil in front of the opening press conference of the documenta on Wednesday in Kassel the GfbV draws attention to the ongoing genocide in Darfur in West Sudan with 400,000 dead to date. "The west can no longer stand on the side-lines doing nothing!” demands the human rights organisation. "Art must at last accept its political task. The claim of modernity, to put into practice jointly accepted basic values of humanity, must be carried by art as well. Art must face life””

What does the documenta-maker Buergel mean with the question: What is bare life? "Our opinion here: Human life is vulnerable where defenceless human beings are exposed to persecution. For victims of expulsion, the most serious crimes against humanity and genocide there is only ONE dimension of life. Art too must face up to its responsibility to protect those who are struggling for sheer survival. More than two million people are in dire need of protection and assistance.

What is to be done? Art must stir up public opinion in questions of bare life and survival. Art must break its silence on the dramatic situation of millions of people, who are threatened with annihilation in the west of Sudan. Art must exercise pressure!

What is to be done against genocide? Speak out – act – help!