Genshagen Notes 7/2017

As part of its series of events, 'Academy under Trees', the Genshagen Foundation holds a European reflection on socially relevant issues from the perspective of art and culture every two years. On 27 May 2016, we explored the topic “How far should art be allowed to go? On freedom of art and the return of the religious”. The debates on that day were attended by artists, figures from the arts and culture sector, refugees, academics, lawyers, political scientists, people of faith, atheists and agnostics, students, activists from various fields and representatives of religious communities, social institutions and human rights organisations from many European and non-European countries.

Rather than focusing on whether Europe was in a so-called post-secular age, the event focused more on artistic freedom and its limits. Should limits be imposed on art if it offends religious sensibilities? And if so, who should decide them? In recent years, the exhibition of artworks deemed blasphemous or immoral has often been met with protests, state censorship, or disruption or destruction by certain groups in various European countries. How should artists respond to these attacks? Are they not increasingly subject to self-censorship, no longer daring to tackle certain topics? These and other questions were discussed under the trees in the castle grounds. 

In Genshagen Note No. 7, you will find an introductory text on the censorship of art in France, as well as interviews providing insight into the debate across six European countries. The documentation also includes drawings by the artist Michel Granger, created during the 'Academy under Trees', as well as photographs by Olivier Ciappa which were exhibited in the castle during the academy and sparked many discussions.