Kunstfreiheit ist zu garantieren: HBKsaar-Leitung und Lichtatelier unter Prof. Detlef Hartung kritisieren die Ausladung studentischer Arbeit als besorgniserregende Entwicklung
Artistic freedom must be guaranteed
The university administration of HBKsaar and the light atelier under Prof. Detlef Hartung criticize the exclusion of a student work as an alarming development
The Saar University of Fine Arts (HBKsaar) notes with grave concern that the City of Gelsenkirchen—after initially confirming participation—has, at short notice, rescinded approval for the presentation of the installation “Resounding Hate, 2025” by Melisa Kujević, a member of a group of HBKsaar students, at the municipal festival “Goldstücke. Light – Art — Projects Gelsenkirchen.” Immediately prior to the start of the festival, the City invoked, in general terms, the requirement of state neutrality in the run-up to the local runoff election.
Article 5(3) of the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany guarantees the freedom of art in both its sphere of creation and its sphere of effect. Political art—even when uncomfortable—is not an exception but lies at the core of constitutionally protected discourse. Artistic freedom must not become a pawn of political interests under the pretext of the state’s neutrality obligation. The neutrality of public authorities does not entail the substantive depoliticization of art; rather, it requires the fair and transparent organization of the forum within which art can speak.
As a university of fine arts, HBKsaar is committed to protect and advance a free practice of art and scholarship. We expect this constitutional principle to be shared and upheld by public bodies.