From Local to Global: Taring Padi's People's Justice and Documenta Fifteen

This thesis conducts a detailed exploration of transcultural curation through the lens of the controversy surrounding Taring Padi's People's Justice at Documenta Fifteen. It delves into the thematic and artistic choices of Documenta, focusing on the co-curation model spearheaded by ruangrupa and its impact on transcultural exhibitions. The analysis extends to Germany's historical context concerning Documenta and the response to People's Justice. Additionally, it highlights the influence of Indonesia's Reformasi movement on the art collectives Taring Padi and ruangrupa, shaping the narrative of Documenta Fifteen. This study probes the diverse interpretations and reactions to People's Justice in Germany, alongside the media's depiction of these cultural exchanges. It further explores the 'politics of belonging' concept by Yuval-Davis, shedding light on the complex dynamics of curating politically charged art. By emphasising the critical need for curators and artists to deeply...Show moreThis thesis conducts a detailed exploration of transcultural curation through the lens of the controversy surrounding Taring Padi's People's Justice at Documenta Fifteen. It delves into the thematic and artistic choices of Documenta, focusing on the co-curation model spearheaded by ruangrupa and its impact on transcultural exhibitions. The analysis extends to Germany's historical context concerning Documenta and the response to People's Justice. Additionally, it highlights the influence of Indonesia's Reformasi movement on the art collectives Taring Padi and ruangrupa, shaping the narrative of Documenta Fifteen. This study probes the diverse interpretations and reactions to People's Justice in Germany, alongside the media's depiction of these cultural exchanges. It further explores the 'politics of belonging' concept by Yuval-Davis, shedding light on the complex dynamics of curating politically charged art. By emphasising the critical need for curators and artists to deeply understand the cultural and historical contexts of their work in different contexts, the research advocates for the use of interpretive tools—like spatial arrangements and thematic groupings—to address the complexities of artworks such as People's Justice. Concluding with acknowledging the evolving challenges in the art world, this thesis highlights the tension between artistic freedom and cultural sensitivity. It calls for further research into transcultural curation, audience reception studies, and the impact of co-curation models.Show less

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From Local to Global: Taring Padi's People's Justice and Documenta Fifteen