Black Christ 2008 by Paul Fryer
Posted on 10/14/2009 4:55:23 AM PDT by Daffynition
The controversial works are part of a wider exhibition of 60 pieces that are being shown for two weeks from Wednesday at the former Holy Trinity Church, now known as One Marylebone, in central London.
The exhibition featuring 16 artists, called The Age of Marvellous, coincides with the Frieze Art Fair in nearby Regent's Park.
Organisers say the exhibition is designed to “integrate areas of human knowledge that exist outside the boundaries of traditional art making”.
Among the more controversial pieces on display in the historic church, which was built in 1825 by Sir John Soane, are two from Paul Fryer, whose works include an ape being crucified on a cross and a waxwork of a black Jesus being electrocuted.
In a promotional brochure he admitted the images were “provocative”.
"(The gorilla artwork) is a reminder of our collective responsibility to protect those who are least able to protect themselves," he said.
"It features an image which I obviously realise is provacative but which I hope may evoke sadness and compassion as well as outrage.
"It would be a pity if it were to represent what we had failed to protect and the things we had lost forever as a result of that failure. Time will tell I suppose."
Joe La Placa, the curator, defended the exhibition, saying it was designed to inspire people to think and understand “deeper meanings”.
The director of All Visual Arts admitted some people would be shocked by the exhibition but rejected suggestions it was designed purely to shock.
[snip]
(Excerpt) Read more at telegraph.co.uk ...
Afraid to cause a little controversy?
I tell you, we were better off when an artist needed a patron other than the govenment teat.
How I long for real Catholic art today. As a Catholic born in the 60’s, it has never been my generations privilege to see such creations. I lose my breath when I walk into an older church. The stained glass, the icons, the statues are absolutely breathtaking. The effect of walking into one of these churches is unknown to many younger Catholics today, and for good reason (according to “progressives”); it lifts the persons senses to awe and worship. God created us with 5 senses. He uses ALL of them to communicate with our hearts. Most of todays churches only focus on one, leaving the others devoid of stimulation and thereby causing them to seek out other means of it with horrendous results.My generation has been privy to
1. Elephant dung smeared on a picture of the Virgin
2. Crucifix in a beaker of urine
3. Jesus in the electric chair
4. An ape crucified
5. The last temptation of Christ
6. The Davinci code
I do want to give credit to “The Passion of the Christ” here, as that was one of the most inspirational films/ art of this generation,but beyond that, what a shameful, disturbing void............
Riots, beheadings and car bombings anyone?/s
No aborted baby art? What a hypocrite. Go figure.
It features an image which I obviously realise is provacative....
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I wonder if “provacative” is like “provocative”.
Government paid for this ?
How come they never make Mohammad the center of their art?
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Good point, FRiend.
Have you no humour?
Goes to show. Terrorism works. Governments are afraid of offending muslims, but more than willing to offend Christians.
The artist just wants to make us think. I think the artist is a waste of good oxygen.
Take gov money away and much of this bitter poison fruit will wither on the vine.
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