Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Chocolate Christ Crucified
Coxsoft art recently posted this article about a chocolate Christ. It's a six foot high sculpture of Jesus Christ, made from chocolate. "My Sweet Lord" by the artist Cosimo Cavallaro was meant to be exhibited at the Lab Gallery in Manhattan over the Easter period.
But, as you can see in the photo of the chocolate Christ to the left, it is much too F%*KIN% offensive to be exhibited! Or at least that's what the "Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights" thinks of the work.
The sculpture is obviously not offensive in any way, so what do radical groups like this gain from such irrational actions? I think they have been reading the quotes of Andy Warhol and believe that any publicity is good publicity, even if it makes them look like an out of touch, kooky organization that has nothing better to do than waste the time of art galleries.
"Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches." Andy Warhol Quote
It seems that the gallery's artistic director has also offered his resignation over the incident, which makes me sad to think that backward thinking nuts still have this kind of power.
"The Lab gallery's artistic director, Matt Semler, has offered his resignation, saying the decision to cancel the exhibition was a result of "strong-arming from people who haven't seen the show, seen what we're doing.
"They jumped to conclusions completely contrary to our intentions," he said." BBC
>> Sculpture News, Controversies ¶ 12:54 AM
Coxsoft art recently posted this article about a chocolate Christ. It's a six foot high sculpture of Jesus Christ, made from chocolate. "My Sweet Lord" by the artist Cosimo Cavallaro was meant to be exhibited at the Lab Gallery in Manhattan over the Easter period.But, as you can see in the photo of the chocolate Christ to the left, it is much too F%*KIN% offensive to be exhibited! Or at least that's what the "Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights" thinks of the work.
The sculpture is obviously not offensive in any way, so what do radical groups like this gain from such irrational actions? I think they have been reading the quotes of Andy Warhol and believe that any publicity is good publicity, even if it makes them look like an out of touch, kooky organization that has nothing better to do than waste the time of art galleries.
"Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches." Andy Warhol Quote
It seems that the gallery's artistic director has also offered his resignation over the incident, which makes me sad to think that backward thinking nuts still have this kind of power.
"The Lab gallery's artistic director, Matt Semler, has offered his resignation, saying the decision to cancel the exhibition was a result of "strong-arming from people who haven't seen the show, seen what we're doing.
"They jumped to conclusions completely contrary to our intentions," he said." BBC
>> Sculpture News, Controversies ¶ 12:54 AM
Hmmm.... I don't see...what the big fuss is about personally. :)
I love the Andy Warhol Quote
"Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches." It is just what I needed to hear as an artist. People are soo judgemental sometimes. It's frustrating.
Anyhoo, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this! :)
I love the Andy Warhol Quote
"Don't pay any attention to what they write about you. Just measure it in inches." It is just what I needed to hear as an artist. People are soo judgemental sometimes. It's frustrating.
Anyhoo, I just wanted to say thank you for sharing this! :)
I don't know I don't know I don't know.. if we should integrate religion into art.. Da vinci code movie.. Mohammed cartoons.. and now Jesus.. sweet and tasty though. Let's stick to rubbish :))
# posted by 
: 5:10 AM
: 5:10 AM
The real culprit (and SHAME on them) is the gallery for caving in. You can't stop people being offended (and I am not saying they don't have a right to their feelings-although they don't represent ALL christians) but people can stop catering to it. Jesus has been represented throughout history, can't compare it to other faiths in which imagery has always been a no no as some kind of excuse to dictate who can show Jesus images and who can't.
Yeah, being judged just comes with the territory of being an artist Angela.
I agree on both points too Jafabrit. The gallery must not have much of a backbone (or some wealthy collectors are card holders of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights).
And Kiera McCaffrey would only have to read the most basic introduction to Islam to find out that ANY depiction of the Prophet Mohammed would be offensive.
It's comparing apples with oranges.. theyre two very different things. I don't agree with it, but I respect their choice to not depict the Prophet. It's just the way it has always been.
But Jesus has been depicted a billion times by a million artists in every way imaginable. It's almost a way of expressing your devotion to Christianity, so who is this organization to say that Cosimo Cavallaro shouldnt express himself this way? It looks like a sincere and honest depiction of Jesus Christ to me.
Here's what she said..
"We're delighted with the outcome," said Kiera McCaffrey, spokeswoman for the League.
Ms McCaffrey had called the exhibit "an assault on Christians".
"They would never dare do something similar with a chocolate statue of the Prophet Mohammed naked with his genitals exposed during Ramadan."
It's not like he is using an offensive medium either.. (thinking of urine)..
Dion
I agree on both points too Jafabrit. The gallery must not have much of a backbone (or some wealthy collectors are card holders of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights).
And Kiera McCaffrey would only have to read the most basic introduction to Islam to find out that ANY depiction of the Prophet Mohammed would be offensive.
It's comparing apples with oranges.. theyre two very different things. I don't agree with it, but I respect their choice to not depict the Prophet. It's just the way it has always been.
But Jesus has been depicted a billion times by a million artists in every way imaginable. It's almost a way of expressing your devotion to Christianity, so who is this organization to say that Cosimo Cavallaro shouldnt express himself this way? It looks like a sincere and honest depiction of Jesus Christ to me.
Here's what she said..
"We're delighted with the outcome," said Kiera McCaffrey, spokeswoman for the League.
Ms McCaffrey had called the exhibit "an assault on Christians".
"They would never dare do something similar with a chocolate statue of the Prophet Mohammed naked with his genitals exposed during Ramadan."
It's not like he is using an offensive medium either.. (thinking of urine)..
Dion
Every time someone denounced the sculpture they brought up "exposed genitals". Evidently Jesus was supposed to be smooth as a Ken doll. Most Catholic imagery depicts the crucifiction with Jesus discreetly draped even though the biblical passages describe him as naked since the Roman soldiers gambled for his clothes.
It's that Jesus would never show his "naughty bits" that fuels this uproar because male genitalia is the root of all evil for Catholics.
It's that Jesus would never show his "naughty bits" that fuels this uproar because male genitalia is the root of all evil for Catholics.
# posted by : 9:06 AM
: 9:06 AM
I'm sorry...why would people be offended by this? It is very likely that Jesus Christ WAS naked when he was crucified.
Maybe Christians (as a whole) have a problem with recognizing that God in the flesh actually had a penis? Or maybe it's sexism. Let me ask you--would a female naked sculpture be so harshly scorned?
All of our "forward thinking" and "modern views of art" and we are still reduced to this! I thought I'd left it in the 7th grade!
Maybe Christians (as a whole) have a problem with recognizing that God in the flesh actually had a penis? Or maybe it's sexism. Let me ask you--would a female naked sculpture be so harshly scorned?
All of our "forward thinking" and "modern views of art" and we are still reduced to this! I thought I'd left it in the 7th grade!
# posted by : 12:26 PM
: 12:26 PM
It is horrible, because it makes a mockery of human suffering.
What is the artist's message?
What is the artist's message?
# posted by : 10:50 AM
: 10:50 AM
Why do you think it is a mockery of human suffering.
My perception is that he is making a mockery of the commercialism at easter rather than christ himself. The shops are stuffed with chocolate and the main focus at easter seems to be chocolate, not the true menaing of easter. Putting the two together may be an unpleasant reminder, maybe will get people to think about it.
just a humble guess
My perception is that he is making a mockery of the commercialism at easter rather than christ himself. The shops are stuffed with chocolate and the main focus at easter seems to be chocolate, not the true menaing of easter. Putting the two together may be an unpleasant reminder, maybe will get people to think about it.
just a humble guess
i agree with Jafabrit, that it is a comment on the commercialisation of easter.
who cares what they think, it is a great concept that deserves to be shown in a gallery.
who cares what they think, it is a great concept that deserves to be shown in a gallery.
For the love of Christ! I can't belive that this type of mockery is being in the art world because a group of radical religious monkeys find something offensive. Whatever happened to art being a "stick-it-to-the-man" profession? Warhol totally had it right when he said that.
# posted by : 7:33 PM
: 7:33 PM
I am a christian and an artist and I am not offended in any way by the chocolate crucified christ.....If Jesus saw it he would appreciate the creativity........ and smile!!These 'radical christian' groups give us genuine, loving christians a bad name.
# posted by : 4:59 AM
: 4:59 AM
I too am a Christian..and not a prude so I'm not offended, but I would prefer to see a crucified Christ with at least a fig leaf...what is it with the male population that they must be such exhibitionists!!!! jay
# posted by : 9:21 AM
: 9:21 AM
But if jesus died on the cross naked then why is depicting as he was at his death offensive? Doesn't applying one's own morality then become a false image, one that makes a mockery of the how he died?
Just pondering.
Just pondering.
Dont go to church on sunday
Dont get on my knees to pray
Dont memorize the books of the bible
I got my own special way
Bit I know jesus loves me
Maybe just a little bit more
I fall on my knees every sunday
At zerelda lees candy store
Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Keep me satisfied
Well I dont want no anna zabba
Dont want no almond joy
There aint nothing better
Suitable for this boy
Well its the only thing
That can pick me up
Better than a cup of gold
See only a chocolate jesus
Can satisfy my soul
(solo)
When the weather gets rough
And its whiskey in the shade
Its best to wrap your savior
Up in cellophane
He flows like the big muddy
But thats ok
Pour him over ice cream
For a nice parfait
Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Good enough for me
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Good enough for me
Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Keep me satisfied :Tom Waits Song
Dont get on my knees to pray
Dont memorize the books of the bible
I got my own special way
Bit I know jesus loves me
Maybe just a little bit more
I fall on my knees every sunday
At zerelda lees candy store
Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Keep me satisfied
Well I dont want no anna zabba
Dont want no almond joy
There aint nothing better
Suitable for this boy
Well its the only thing
That can pick me up
Better than a cup of gold
See only a chocolate jesus
Can satisfy my soul
(solo)
When the weather gets rough
And its whiskey in the shade
Its best to wrap your savior
Up in cellophane
He flows like the big muddy
But thats ok
Pour him over ice cream
For a nice parfait
Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Good enough for me
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Good enough for me
Well its got to be a chocolate jesus
Make me feel good inside
Got to be a chocolate jesus
Keep me satisfied :Tom Waits Song
Well, I'm a Christian and I got it. In the name of balance though I'd also like to see a donut Buddha and fairy floss Darwin. Linked you at http://mattstone.blogs.com BTW.
Matt
Matt
Christ's symbolic body and blood are ingested every day.
Now, if he were black-skinned, as many scholars now believe, chocolate Jesus would more accurately represent the historical truth.
Now, if he were black-skinned, as many scholars now believe, chocolate Jesus would more accurately represent the historical truth.
# posted by : 2:19 PM
: 2:19 PM
lol anon.
It probably has nuts and a chocolate bar. So its best not to risk eating the chocolate Christ if youre allergic to nuts.
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It probably has nuts and a chocolate bar. So its best not to risk eating the chocolate Christ if youre allergic to nuts.
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