Chocolate Jesus Exhibit Cancelled

I don't object and think it's very interesting and clever because it offers so many potential readings. To me it's a rather challenging way of bringing together 2 attitudinal camps with respect to Easter - those who view it primarily as a religious festival and those who see it primarily as an opportunity to consume chocolate moulded objects and figures eg eggs. There's lots of thought provoking oppositions that come to mind. So images of hollow versus substantial embodiment, spiritual sustenance (Christianity) versus material sustenance (secularism and and Easter eggs), gluttony versus Christ's self-sacrifice, sweetness of life/chocolate versus sourness of death (or wine given to Christ on Good Friday), associations with the Eucharist - is this a Eucharist of chocolate - take, eat, this is my body which is given for you? (what's going to happen to the sculpture after Easter?) The medium used is plastic, but set in a particular way reflecting God's incarnation as man as part of the Trinity (chocolate is brown, colour of earth for God's son on earth) but it could also be melted into a pool/reformed ie resurrected(?). I can see it's provocative, but I think sometimes art is meant to do that, and I also think it's OK to be offended, because art is sometimes meant to do that too. I hope it might get people thinking about what Easter means and would hope that the exhibition space can provide some opportunity for people to discuss it.

I don't think it is very clever to compare the outcry to this to the Outcry over cartoons or similar depictions of Mohammad.
1.) It is a sin to worship Mohammad this way, those cartoons were ignorant, disrespectful and inflammatry
2.) Christians are actively encouraged to worship idols of Christ. They are everywhere.
Muslims have never been insulating or disrespectful towards Christ..Why? They recognise him as a prophet and it is a sin to do so.
It is a pity we can't extend that courtesy. It isn't a persons faithful beliefs that are causing tension between the 2 religions, it is peoples ignorance, lack of understanding, lack of respect..I see that mainly coming from western Christians. The muslim agenda is mainly political..
Those that claim to be christian and I mean practising. Take a step back and look at yourselves. Are you behaving/thinking as Christ would have wanted you too??

As regards the Chocolate Christ. It was addressed at Mass this morning. My priest said "Christ would have loved it because he was abit of a show off!"
He was a humble man but with a sense of the spectacular. He probably would have loved chocolate!

Originally posted by Murphs
I can see it's provocative, but I think sometimes art is meant to do that, and I also think it's OK to be offended, because art is sometimes meant to do that too.

Loved your analysis of the many possible meanings of this piece of art.

Art is in the eye of the beholder. There has been controversial art around forever. It's one of the jobs of art. To create discussion, thought...

I don't think it is very clever to compare the outcry to this to the Outcry over cartoons or similar depictions of Mohammad.
1.) It is a sin to worship Mohammad this way, those cartoons were ignorant, disrespectful and inflammatry

But someone who would make a cartoon of Mohammad or a statue of naked chocolate Jesus doesn't much care about the concept of "sin", do they? Why should anyone care about the strange judgments made by a religion one doesn't practice? They shouldn't.

So, to an outsider (one who isn't involved in religious mores of either group) the two representations of deity are the same and can very well be compared. To an outsider, the fact that one group considers it a "sin" and the other group doesn't, matters not.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

Loved your analysis of the many possible meanings of this piece of art.

Art is in the eye of the beholder. There has been controversial art around forever. It's one of the jobs of art. To create discussion, thought...

Why, thank you.
I have looked at this long and hard. I find the response to this stunning!

But someone who would make a cartoon of Mohammad or a statue of naked chocolate Jesus doesn't much care about the concept of "sin", do they? Why should anyone care about the strange judgments made by a religion one doesn't practice? They shouldn't.

So, to an outsider (one who isn't involved in religious mores of either group) the two representations of deity are the same and can very well be compared. To an outsider, the fact that one group considers it a "sin" and the other group doesn't, matters not.

But is a chocolate statue of Jesus a sin? Is it because it is chocolate that is the issue or the fact that the he is protrayed naked?
I have seen many dieties and many statues where the crucified Jesus has been protrayed naked. These have been in Churches and Art Gallerys so the nakedness is therefore not a sin. But in peoples perception/attitude it may be. Humans like to appear superior to other humans.
The chocolate is just another medium, it is no different to the gold crucifix in my jewellery box or the wooden one hanging in my hall.
I have found that the people who have been most outraged by this, can't give me a valid reason as too why they are outraged! They just feel they should be..So yes, I agree with your last statement..

I wonder who will get Jesus's willy as their Easter Gift?? I think it should go to the one who issued death threats to the artist, without finding out his reasons or views!! (I have a very big streak of badness in me though or maybe I feel everyone deserves their comeuppance)

Originally posted by Murphs
But is a chocolate statue of Jesus a sin?

According to whom? And as I tried to say, if a person isn't religious or doesn't believe in God, the "sins" of Christianity or Islam have no meaning to them.

Just as "taking the name of the Lord, thy God in vain" is a sin, you'll notice that people who don't follow that religion don't care about it. They use that language all the time. And nobody says, "You can't do that because our religion considers it a sin"!

Is it because it is chocolate that is the issue or the fact that the he is protrayed naked?

I couldn't say why people are upset. I think it's silly to be offended at either one.

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

Just as "taking the name of the Lord, thy God in vain" is a sin, you'll notice that people who don't follow that religion don't care about it. They use that language all the time. And nobody says, "You can't do that because our religion considers it a sin"!

Oooops!! I use his name all the time..Sometimes I even include the wee donkey..
Do you know if it is a mortal sin, venial sin or just a wee white one??

Originally posted by Murphs
2.) Christians are actively encouraged to worship idols of Christ. They are everywhere.

This is patently false. While Protestants often consider the statuary and other images that adorns the churches and homes of Catholics just a little to close to idolatry for comfort, Catholics do not worship these images, but rather look at them as reminders of their faith.

[edit on 2007/4/1 by GradyPhilpott]

Originally posted by Benevolent Heretic

According to whom? And as I tried to say, if a person isn't religious or doesn't believe in God, the "sins" of Christianity or Islam have no meaning to them.

That is the point I was trying to make. Knowing me, probably incoherently that these Christians are being appalled but they don't know why.That they having no understanding of sins.Don't know that this Chocolate diety of Christ is not a Sin, it is just a thought provoking piece of art!
Whereas any depiction of Mohammad is a sin!
That many on this thread are outraged purely because the Muslims are allowed to be, without any understanding of why they were outraged.
Off to carve the sacrifical lamb and fed the family!

In my opinion, this whole issue is proof that the US, as intended by the Founding Fathers, is dead. Let us commence with rotting.

When people cave under pressure over a piece of chocolate on one side of the planet, as thousands are dying needlessly on the opposite side, the world deserves its doomsday bullseye.

Truly. Disgusting.

Originally posted by GradyPhilpott

Originally posted by Murphs
2.) Christians are actively encouraged to worship idols of Christ. They are everywhere.

This is patently false. While Protestants often consider the statuary and other images that adorns the churches and homes of Catholics just a little to close to idolatry for comfort, Catholics do not worship these images, but rather look at them as reminders of their faith.

[edit on 2007/4/1 by GradyPhilpott]

I live in a confused household. I am an active Catholic, my husband is Presbyterian, My mother in Law Anglican.
All wear crucifixs, all recognise them. My Father in Law holds his while he prays.
Why do Catholics pray in front of a crucifix? Why on Good Friday do we do Stations of the Cross and stop and pray in front of each Station. Thats worship.
In most churchs here and in Scotland..Whether Free church, presby, Catholic or whatever..There is idolatry of some description.
You have to remember that Religions, no matter what denomination, also adopt some cultural ideals of that country also.
I find US catholics , closer to Presbys in their practice than here. Far less idolatry..That doesn't make it right or wrong but just saying that idolatry is far more common in all Christian denominations, in Europe, Latin America etc.

The Roger Smith Hotel called off the exhibit because the Catholic League for Religious & Civil Rights pressured them to do so. There was no 'meeting of the minds' that happened. They would've had the pants sued off them if they showed the piece. Aren't someones constitutional rights being stepped on here? I believe we still have the freedom of expression thing going on here. Art is all in ones perception. If You don't like it don't go. While in Tucson years ago I happened upon a studio that was preparing for a huge opening for an 'up & coming' artist. I saw 2 of the 3 exhibits being presented that evening. One was a cubicle, about 8'x10' with test tubes and beakers randomly set about (random to Me) with toilet paper stuffed in and about them and the walls. The other was an area roughly the same size with tampons hanging from the ceiling and pads stuck on the walls. Was that art? Not to Me. I thought it was ridiculous, maybe it assaulted My 'womanhood' I do know that 100's of people showed up that nite and She ended up being on the front of the 'who's who' society page the next day. We should be able to creatively express ourselves anyway we want, I mean, that is the purpose of art isn't it, self expression?

Peace. K*

OK, BH and Murphs. You've made your points. You know it's always difficult to win an argument with smart ladies (Who thankfully are less than the number of hairs on a bald man's head!)

Having said that, what the devil was the necessity for making a chocolate Jesus in the first place? Aren't there a billion other things to draw inspiration from? Why did he do it when he very well knew that this 'piece of art' is going to hurt the sentiments of many Christians?

So I think it was in bad taste (pun unintended!) and this guy did it for propping up his sagging career by gaining publicity, good or bad.

But hey, what do I know? I ain't a Christian! And so have little idea of the sentiments at work here!

Originally posted by Murphs
I am an active Catholic, my husband is Presbyterian, My mother in Law Anglican.

As for me, I'm a Hindu, with one daughter married to a Catholic and the other to a Protestant! How's that for religious integration?

Whatever, cheers and wishing you both a Happy Easter!!



[edit on 1-4-2007 by mikesingh]

Originally posted by mikesingh
OK, BH and Murphs. You've made your points. You know it's always difficult to win an argument with smart ladies (Who thankfully are less than the number of hairs on a bald man's head!)

Aw... Isn't that sweet? (I think) Less than zero? Hmmm...

Having said that, what the devil was the necessity for making a chocolate Jesus in the first place?

What's the necessity of me painting my living room? What's the necessity of owning a gun? What's the necessity of protesting a war? What's the necessity of pracitcing a religion? What's the necessity of anything we choose to do? There is no necessity, it's what he wanted to do and he's well within his rights.

So I think it was in bad taste (pun unintended!) and this guy did it for propping up his sagging career by gaining publicity, good or bad.

You're probably right. Another move well within his rights.

Whatever, cheers and wishing you both a Happy Easter!!

I don't even know when it is, as we don't celebrate holidays, but Happy Easter to you, too!

Okay, I have to say this. At least when you look at the thing you recognize what the Hades it is! That's something that can't be said for a lot of "art" over the last 50 years.

I'll take a chocolate Hay-Seuss over a blob of unrecognizable whatevuh any day.

Originally posted by mikesingh
OK, BH and Murphs. You've made your points. You know it's always difficult to win an argument with smart ladies (Who thankfully are less than the number of hairs on a bald man's head!)

WTF? Am I misinterpretating Your post or have You just made a very sexist remark that should be addressed?

As an artist that has been making a living producing and selling art for over 30 years, I feel that a short course on art appreciation l0l is in order.

Most real artist don't make art for the public, they make it as a way to express their view of the world. Sometime it is crass and tasteless but so is the world we live in.

Everyone has a right to their opinion about art, or anything else that crosses their field of vision.

But as an artist, I really could give a flying [expletive] what you think of mywork. If you think you can do better; make your own art so I can tell you how trite, amateurish and stupid your work is.

As to the chocolate Jesus; how about a Jesus piñata.

Originally posted by Demetre
WTF? Am I misinterpretating Your post or have You just made a very sexist remark that should be addressed?

No need to swear!! sexist to whom?
Sexism doesn't offend me either..I must have the skin of an elephant!
I am quite charmed actually and that doesn't happen too often!

Originally posted by Demetre
WTF? Am I misinterpretating Your post or have You just made a very sexist remark that should be addressed?

I saw that. I figure he either misspoke and fumbled the reference or it was an insult. Either way, it doesn't really matter to me because he proved that there are indeed intelligent women.

Intelligent women with skin of elephants!

Everyone has a right to their opinion about art, or anything else that crosses their field of vision.

Precisely.

as an artist, I really could give a flying [expletive] what you think of mywork (sic).

Just as I don't give a flying intercourse what you think of my opinion.

Originally posted by FlyersFan
Try making a naked Muhammed out of chocolate and displaying it during Ramadan. Would that be art too? No, it would be just to inflame people. And that is exactly what this is. Crap - not art.

again with the false comparisons. a representation of jesus isn't the same as a representation of mohammed. it's specifically offensive to muslims to depict mohammed PERIOD. depicting jesus during the passion is a common theme in art, depicting him naked is just being historically accurate. making it out of chocolate is.... i don't know, but i personally like it and hope to see more people using it as such.

WHY is this jesus offensive to you?
does he not still suffer for your sins?

this historically accurate and well sculpted jesus should be cherished. there is so much detail! i'm astounded at the talent of the artist, especially since he can work with such an odd medium.

Originally posted by madnessinmysoul
again with the false comparisons. a representation of jesus isn't the same as a representation of mohammed.

To me, they are exactly the same. Now, to Muslims, they wouldn't be, but that's their rules. To me, one is just as non-offensive as the other.