Museum Folkwang Severes Ties with Curator Over BDS Support
Museum Folkwang in Essen, Germany, has cut ties with curator and author Anaïs Duplan due to her advocacy for the BDS movement. Duplan, based in the USA, had voiced support for the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) network via Instagram, prompting the museum to end their collaboration.
Duplan was set to contribute to the exhibition "We are the future. Visions of New Communities," specifically focusing on the "Afrofuturism" chapter. The exhibition's opening is scheduled for November 24.
In a statement released on Thursday, the museum cited Duplan's personal endorsement of the BDS campaign, which calls for boycotting Israel and Israeli goods, as the primary reason for their separation. The museum pointed to a resolution issued by the German Parliament, classifying the BDS network as anti-Semitic, as further justification.
Duplan responded to the decision on Instagram, expressing shock and frustration after dedicating over a year to the "We are the future. Visions of New Communities" Art Exhibitions in Essen. In an interview with the US art blog and magazine "Hyperallergic," Duplan accused the museum of neglecting to engage in any meaningful dialogue concerning anti-Semitism and criticized the timing of her dismissal, as it occurred so close to the exhibition's commencement.
BDS stands for advocating for a boycott of the state of Israel and Israeli products, in response to Israel's actions against Palestinians. Over several Instagram posts, Duplan encouraged support for legal Palestinian organizations, participation in the BDS movement, and organized protest initiatives.
Faced with the dismissal from the "We are the future. Visions of New Communities" exhibition due to her advocacy for the BDS network, Anaïs Duplan expressed disappointment with a heartfelt Instagram post, acknowledging her dedication to the project. The BDS movement's stance against Israel's actions towards Palestinians has ignited intense discussions within the art world, resulting in divisions between supporters of the cause and institutions such as Museum Folkwang.
Sources: Museum Folkwang press release, Anaïs Duplan's Instagram and "Hyperallergic" interview (courtesy of Enrichment Data)
Enrichment Data: The article does not rely on specific enrichment data, as the information is derived from official sources and interviews with Anaïs Duplan. The article focuses on conveying the facts and the museum's official statement on the matter.
