Anti-Semitism criticism of street art show in Chemnitz

Following accusations of anti-Semitism, the organizers of the Ibug street art exhibition in Chemnitz have taken down parts of an artwork. Specifically, it is reportedly a work by artist Luke Carter with the words "GERMANY MURDERED WITH". According to an expert from Johns Hopkins University, parts of the work are problematic, the organizers said on request. "Although the artist's work is not anti-Semitic in its intention, we have decided to take these parts down." The "Freie Presse" had previously reported on this.

Capital of Culture management reacts

The festival for urban art is part of Chemnitz's program as European Capital of Culture 2025. As a project partner, Ibug is responsible for the content, emphasized the management of Kulturhauptstadt gGmbH in response to a dpa inquiry. However, the contractual partners are obliged to adhere to agreed guidelines. These include values such as human dignity, diversity and tolerance. "Anti-Semitic or inhuman statements contradict these basic values and have no place in our environment." The allegations against Ibug will now be independently investigated by the Capital of Culture gGmbH, both legally and in terms of content.

The festival - Ibug stands for brownfield redevelopment - transforms brownfield sites into a gallery for urban art at different locations every year. This year, a former hospital was chosen for the event. Works by 70 artists and collectives from Germany and abroad are on display.

Multiple works address the Gaza war

Many of the works deal with the Gaza war and the suffering of the civilian population. In addition to the work by Luke Carter, for example, Gino Dambrowski shows a mother with her four-year-old child who was killed in an Israeli air raid. Only one word is written above it: "STAATSRÄSON". In another work, the artist Plan B shows mutilated children under the heading "Netanyahu's Stickers Gaza Set". According to "Freie Presse", this has also been criticized. A Jewish professor is quoted as saying that it is a clichéd reference to the ritual murder legend from the Middle Ages.

The show opened regularly to the public on August 22 and can be seen from Friday to Sunday - the last time next weekend.