Documenta fifteen receives the final report of Colombia’s truth commission in Kassel, Germany
Within the framework of document fifteen, several organizations have joined forces in one of the most important contemporary art exhibitions in the world. Among them, Más Arte Más Acción and CAPAZ, have joined forces to organize talks, walking critique sessions, listening sessions, and a performance in order to amplify this historical moment for Colombia: the publication of the Truth Commission’s Final Report on the eve of the beginning of a new period of government committed to peace.
A week-long performance laboratory in public spaces in Kassel will reflect on truth and memory processes in Colombia, Germany and beyond. The testimonies chapter of the Final Report will be read together with those who participated in its publication, including Truth Commissioners Alejandro Castillejo and Leyner Palacios. Relations between Colombia and Germany will be explored in the framework of their historical memory processes, in collaboration with the Truth Commission’s Nodo Alemania. One of the Commissioners will guide the participants during a listening session involving the rustling of bark beetles.
The following are the events will be held in Kassel:
- July 4th – 8th / Time: 10:00 – 20:00
VERDADES: Politics of Memory in Artistic Practice
VERDADES: Políticas de la memoria en la Práctica Artística / VERDADES: Erinnerungspolitik in der künstlerischen Praxis
Performance laboratory in the public space of Kassel to reflect about the processes of truth and memory in Colombia, Germany and beyond.
Participants: Ariane Andereggen, Ted Gaier, Kathrin Wildner, Carmenza Rojas, Alejandra Rojas.
Kind of event: Performance laboratory / Language: Spanish, English, German
Venue: MAMA Doc Space, Spontaneous actions happening in the public space
- July 7th / Time: 10:00 – 11.30
Walk to the whispers of the bark beetles
Caminata con los susurros de los escarabajos de la corteza / Spaziergang zum Geflüstern der Borkenkäfer
An invitation to walk from the MAMA Doc Space, past the Spaces to Reflect to the Glasshouse with open readings, stories, and whispers of the bark beetles.
Participants: Guided by Alejandro Castillejo and Fernando Arias.
Kind of event: Walk / Language: Spanish, English
Venue: From MAMA Doc Space to the MAMA Glasshouse (Greenhouse)
- July 7th / Time: 16:00 – 18:00
Ritual reading of the testimonial chapter of the Colombian Truth Report
Lectura ritual del capítulo testimonial del Reporte de la Verdad Colombiano / Rituelles Lesen der Zeugenaussagen im kolumbianischen Wahrheitsberichts
Ritual reading guided by Truth Commissioner Alejandro Castillejo and other critical friends of the Colombian Peace Process.
Participants: Alejandro Castillejo and Andrés Torres.
Kind of event: Reading circle / Language: Spanish
Venue: MAMA Doc Space
- July 7th / 19:00 – 21:40
Memoria
Screening of the film by Thai Director Apichatpong Weerasethakul written during his residency with MAMA. To be screened as part of MAMA’s focus week on the Colombian Truth Commission’s Final Report in the framework of the peace process. This deeply emotional film with Tilda Swinton takes us on a journey towards a better future, past, and present. Released in 2021.
Kind of event: Film-screening / Language: Spanish, English
Venue: Gloria Cinema
- July 8th / 16:00 – 18:00
Artistic practices for memory by Afro communities of the Atrato River
Prácticas artísticas y de memoria por las comunidades Afro del Río Atrato / Künstlerische Erinnerungspraktiken der Afro-Gemeinden des Atrato-Flusses
Truth Commissioner Leyner Palacios, afro-leader of the community of Bojayá talks with cultural leaders of artistic initiatives Jóvenes Creadores del Chocó and Mareia based in Quibdó.
Participants: Leyner Palacios, Sandra Vega, Carmenza Rojas. Moderates: Lorena Diez
Kind of event: Talk / Language: Spanish, English
Venue: MAMA Doc Space
- July 9th / 16:00 – 18.00
Historical memory processes in Germany and Colombia
Procesos de memoria histórica en Alemania y Colombia/ Historische Erinnerungsprozesse in Deutschland und Kolumbien
A talk to explore the relations between Colombia and Germany in the framework of the Colombian Peace Process and its Truth Commission.
Participants: Stefan Peters, Leyner Palacios, Liliana Gómez. Moderates: Pilar Mendoza.
Kind of event: Talk / Language: Spanish, English
Venue: MAMA Doc Space