Anda Rottenberg resigns from Zacheta after series of controversial exhibitions

Anda Rottenberg, director of the Zacheta Gallery, announced her resignation yesterday after eight years at the museum’s helm. Rottenberg’s departure follows a several-month period of controversy sparked by a series of exhibitions that provoked national discussion pro and con, including Piotr Uklanski’s “Nazis” and Catellan’s sculpture “Holy Father,” the latter presented as part of the gallery’s 100th anniversary exhibition. Under Rottenberg’s direction Zacheta was transformed from a traditional exhibition center for contemporary Polish art into an innovative gallery open to the world. Yet reaction in certain circles to recent exhibitions created such hostility that Rottenberg decided to leave. Said Minister of Culture Kazimierz Michal Ujazdowski, “This isn’t my decision, but that of the director herself. Of course, her successor will be selected by way of a competition. Until then, Ms. Rottenberg will continue as Director of Zacheta.” (Rzeczpospolita, p.A1) M. S.-C.