A German architecture foundation has withdrawn a €10,000 award from British artist James Bridle after they signed an open letter supporting a boycott of Israeli cultural institutions. The foundation cited the recent controversial antisemitism resolution passed by the German parliament as a key factor behind the decision.
Bridle, an Athens-based artist and author who uses they/them pronouns, was named the recipient of the Schelling Architecture Foundation’s theory prize in June for their significant contributions to architectural theory. The award is presented every two years.
However, just days before the awards ceremony scheduled in Karlsruhe, Bridle was informed via email that the foundation’s committee had unanimously decided to rescind the prize. The reason for the reversal was Bridle’s participation in the letter, which called for a boycott of Israeli cultural institutions.
The letter, published at the end of October on LitHub, expressed that the signatories would not engage with Israeli cultural institutions that were either complicit in or silent about the oppression of Palestinians. The foundation’s press release emphasized that Bridle’s endorsement of the boycott contradicted the organization’s responsibility to be mindful of Germany’s history.
The Schelling Architecture Foundation’s awards, named after the late architect Erich Schilling, have been granted since 1992. Schilling’s past involvement with the Nazi Party was noted by the foundation in a statement. The foundation clarified that it does not accuse Bridle of antisemitism but could not align itself with the call to culturally isolate Israel.
In its email to Bridle, the foundation also referenced a recent resolution passed by the German Bundestag on protecting Jewish life, which condemns actions such as boycotting Israel or supporting the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement.
Bridle responded to the Guardian, expressing disappointment at what they perceived as an implicit accusation of antisemitism, which they found particularly troubling given the foundation’s own historical context. The artist also pointed out the irony that their 2022 book, Ways of Being, was nominated for its discussion of Israel’s “apartheid wall” and its exploration of the intersection of genocide and ecocide.
A spokesperson for the foundation confirmed that other nominees had been notified of the decision and that further reactions were expected.
