#1Mar 30th, 2007
A Montreal-born artist who has made works out of rubber, cheese and ham is stirring the pot with his new work - a lifelike sculpture of Jesus Christ made out of chocolate.
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Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
#2
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 30th, 2007
rather tastier than the wafer i'd imagine. Would it be offensive/inappropriate to suggest little chocolate jesuses in churches?
#3
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 30th, 2007
Why should it be offensive? Aren’t Christians accustom to eating the body of Christ?
#4
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 30th, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by s243a
Read my mind.......Why should it be offensive? Aren’t Christians accustom to eating the body of Christ?
#5
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 30th, 2007
In Homer drooling voice: "I know I shouldn't eat thee, but.... *eats waffle* Mmmmm... sacrelicious."
#6
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 30th, 2007
Well we do eat crackers in church communion to commemorate God.
But I don't agree with this.
But I don't agree with this.
#7
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by westmanguy
Crackers???? You're kidding!Well we do eat crackers in church communion to commemorate God.
But I don't agree with this.
#8
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by hermanntrude
rather tastier than the wafer i'd imagine. Would it be offensive/inappropriate to suggest little chocolate jesuses in churches?
Yes.
#9
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by CBC News
I wonder what his motivation is? Perhaps he is making the point that we have mis-represented the nature of Easter by focusing on chocolate instead of Christ. In that case, he is quite correct.A Montreal-born artist who has made works out of rubber, cheese and ham is stirring the pot with his new work - a lifelike sculpture of Jesus Christ made out of chocolate.
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It is further interesting that he has chosen the most holiest week of the Christian year to unveil his "art".
#10
Update
Mar 31st, 2007
N.Y. gallery cancels naked chocolate Jesus exhibit
By Daniel Trotta
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Manhattan art gallery canceled on Friday its Easter-season exhibit of a life-size chocolate sculpture depicting a naked Jesus, after an outcry by Roman Catholics.
The sculpture "My Sweet Lord" by Cosimo Cavallaro was to have been exhibited for two hours each day next week in a street-level window of the Roger Smith Lab Gallery in Midtown Manhattan.
The display had been scheduled to open on Monday, days ahead of Good Friday when Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus. But protests including a call to boycott the affiliated Roger Smith Hotel forced the gallery to scrap the showing.
"Your response to the exhibit at the Lab Gallery is crystal clear and has brought to our attention the unintended reaction of you and other conscientious friends of ours to the exhibition of Cosimo Cavallaro," Roger Smith Hotel President James Knowles said in a statement addressed to "Dear Friends."
"We have caused the cancellation of the exhibition and wish to affirm the dignity and responsibility of the hotel in all its affairs," the statement said.
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights had called for a boycott of the hotel, writing to 500 religious and secular organizations.
"This is an assault on Christians during Holy Week," said Kiera McCaffrey, director of communications for the league, which describes itself as the largest U.S. Catholic civil-rights group.
"They would never dare do something similar with a chocolate statue of the prophet Mohammad naked with his genitals exposed during Ramadan," she said before the cancellation.
The archbishop of New York called the sculpture "scandalous" and a "sickening display."
"This is something we will not forget," Cardinal Edward Egan said in a statement.
Matthew Semler, the artistic director of the gallery, said earlier that the hotel had no knowledge of what the gallery planned to show and was being unfairly targeted. Moreover, he said the work was not irreverent.
"It's intended as a meditation on the Holy Week," Semler said of the sculpture, which depicts Jesus as if on the cross. Easter Sunday, this year April 8, is celebrated as the day of Jesus' resurrection.
A photo of the piece on the artist's Web site (http://www.cosimocavallaro.com/) shows the work suspended in air.
New York is familiar with clashes between art and religion.
In 1999, then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani tried to withdraw a grant from the Brooklyn Museum of Art for a painting depicting the Virgin Mary as a black woman splattered with elephant dung adorned with cut-outs from pornographic magazines.
Current Mayor Michael Bloomberg took a different approach.
"If you want to give the guy some publicity, talk more about it, make a big fuss," Bloomberg told WABC radio. "If you want to really hurt him, don't pay attention."
© Reuters 2007
By Daniel Trotta
NEW YORK (Reuters) - A Manhattan art gallery canceled on Friday its Easter-season exhibit of a life-size chocolate sculpture depicting a naked Jesus, after an outcry by Roman Catholics.
The sculpture "My Sweet Lord" by Cosimo Cavallaro was to have been exhibited for two hours each day next week in a street-level window of the Roger Smith Lab Gallery in Midtown Manhattan.
The display had been scheduled to open on Monday, days ahead of Good Friday when Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus. But protests including a call to boycott the affiliated Roger Smith Hotel forced the gallery to scrap the showing.
"Your response to the exhibit at the Lab Gallery is crystal clear and has brought to our attention the unintended reaction of you and other conscientious friends of ours to the exhibition of Cosimo Cavallaro," Roger Smith Hotel President James Knowles said in a statement addressed to "Dear Friends."
"We have caused the cancellation of the exhibition and wish to affirm the dignity and responsibility of the hotel in all its affairs," the statement said.
The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights had called for a boycott of the hotel, writing to 500 religious and secular organizations.
"This is an assault on Christians during Holy Week," said Kiera McCaffrey, director of communications for the league, which describes itself as the largest U.S. Catholic civil-rights group.
"They would never dare do something similar with a chocolate statue of the prophet Mohammad naked with his genitals exposed during Ramadan," she said before the cancellation.
The archbishop of New York called the sculpture "scandalous" and a "sickening display."
"This is something we will not forget," Cardinal Edward Egan said in a statement.
Matthew Semler, the artistic director of the gallery, said earlier that the hotel had no knowledge of what the gallery planned to show and was being unfairly targeted. Moreover, he said the work was not irreverent.
"It's intended as a meditation on the Holy Week," Semler said of the sculpture, which depicts Jesus as if on the cross. Easter Sunday, this year April 8, is celebrated as the day of Jesus' resurrection.
A photo of the piece on the artist's Web site (http://www.cosimocavallaro.com/) shows the work suspended in air.
New York is familiar with clashes between art and religion.
In 1999, then-Mayor Rudolph Giuliani tried to withdraw a grant from the Brooklyn Museum of Art for a painting depicting the Virgin Mary as a black woman splattered with elephant dung adorned with cut-outs from pornographic magazines.
Current Mayor Michael Bloomberg took a different approach.
"If you want to give the guy some publicity, talk more about it, make a big fuss," Bloomberg told WABC radio. "If you want to really hurt him, don't pay attention."
© Reuters 2007
#11
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by sanctus
That is a good analysis. So if the point is to say not enough attention is put on Christ on Easter then why are Christians getting offended? Shouldn’t they say what a great statement? I forget what is the point of communion anyway? Isn’t it suppose to represent the last supper but I am sure that people weren’t on the menu of the last supper.I wonder what his motivation is? Perhaps he is making the point that we have mis-represented the nature of Easter by focusing on chocolate instead of Christ. In that case, he is quite correct.
It is further interesting that he has chosen the most holiest week of the Christian year to unveil his "art".
#12
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007
It makes me laugh that the most insignificant thing can upset the most up tight of people.
BIG DEAL. If no one buys it then he'll stop making it. Beside I think his intention was good.
BIG DEAL. If no one buys it then he'll stop making it. Beside I think his intention was good.
#13
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by s243a
Most people see things only on the surface. They don't, sad to say, think beyond their base reactions.That is a good analysis. So if the point is to say not enough attention is put on Christ on Easter then why are Christians getting offended? Shouldn’t they say what a great statement? I forget what is the point of communion anyway? Isn’t it suppose to represent the last supper but I am sure that people weren’t on the menu of the last supper.
Communion is the sacramental action of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ, as a sign of unity in Him and His Church.
#14
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by El Barto
What do you interpret as his intention? I'm not sure it was stated.It makes me laugh that the most insignificant thing can upset the most up tight of people.
BIG DEAL. If no one buys it then he'll stop making it. Beside I think his intention was good.
As for people getting upset. That is HIS fault. When you choose to do something which you know is a sensitive issue to many people, you must be ready for the reaction.
#15
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by sanctus
I don't think he meant it as offensive, s234a may have touched something on his intention. Easter and Christ. To me in your religion it would be like highlighting Jesus more than Santa claus at christmas.What do you interpret as his intention? I'm not sure it was stated.
As for people getting upset. That is HIS fault. When you choose to do something which you know is a sensitive issue to many people, you must be ready for the reaction.
Maybe that was his intention. If he wanted to be offensive he would be much more direct I would think.
#16
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by El Barto
I don't think he meant it as offensive, s234a may have touched something on his intention. Easter and Christ. To me in your religion it would be like highlighting Jesus more than Santa claus at christmas.
Maybe that was his intention. If he wanted to be offensive he would be much more direct I would think.
That was my take on the piece as well. It is a compelling point. Too many Catholic children and parents focus on the Easter Bunny and the candy over the Resurrection.
#17
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007
I understand why they are offened.Don't they believe you shouldn't idolize objects? That being said it's their own fault. Too many catholics focus on the imaginary easter bunny and chocolate instead of their reilgion. It has become commercialized (just like xmas). Therefore its the mess they created. IMO.
#18
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Nikki
I understand why they are offened.Don't they believe you shouldn't idolize objects? That being said it's their own fault. Too many catholics focus on the imaginary easter bunny and chocolate instead of their reilgion. It has become commercialized (just like xmas). Therefore its the mess they created. IMO.
You're blaming the Catholic Church for Easter bunnies and chocolate? We are the only ones buying the stuff? Protestants and non-believers are, I assume, not participating in the secular holiday celebrations and gift buying?
#19
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by sanctus
You're blaming the Catholic Church for Easter bunnies and chocolate? We are the only ones buying the stuff? Protestants and non-believers are, I assume, not participating in the secular holiday celebrations and gift buying?
Im allergic to choclate
#20
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007
I think I understand the motivation of the artist. See above.
#21
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by sanctus
No I am blaming catholics for participating in it and encouraging it.You're blaming the Catholic Church for Easter bunnies and chocolate? We are the only ones buying the stuff? Protestants and non-believers are, I assume, not participating in the secular holiday celebrations and gift buying?
Edit: I should change my wording. I blame the catholics that knowingly participate in easter. And sure there are a lot of non believers that participate in this stupid holiday (I don't mean the religious part of it i mean the easter bunny crap). obviously the chocolate jesus was not made for non believers thats just stupid.
#22
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007
honestly, throughout my entire life, for communion,
We had no-name, on sale, salted crackers
AND no-name, on sale, grape juice.
The church was cheap.
We had no-name, on sale, salted crackers
AND no-name, on sale, grape juice.
The church was cheap.
#23
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by sanctus
I have to agree with you, Sanctus, on this one. A good majority of not only catholics, but christians as a whole, take the easter holidays very seriously...it is a very important time for them...it holds great meaning. I haven't felt like that has been lost by the presence of easter bunnies and gifts, but, that's my viewpoint as an outsider.You're blaming the Catholic Church for Easter bunnies and chocolate? We are the only ones buying the stuff? Protestants and non-believers are, I assume, not participating in the secular holiday celebrations and gift buying?
#24
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Nikki
Why can't a person do both...enjoy the spring, fun rituals of easter, while still celebrating it as a religious holiday?No I am blaming catholics for participating in it and encouraging it.
Edit: I should change my wording. I blame the catholics that knowingly participate in easter. And sure there are a lot of non believers that participate in this stupid holiday (I don't mean the religious part of it i mean the easter bunny crap). obviously the chocolate jesus was not made for non believers thats just stupid.
#25
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007
I was raised Protestant and we did both.
We would celebrate Jesus's death and reserrection, and then on Easter day I would wake up as a young boy and search the house for the junk food hidden.
We would celebrate Jesus's death and reserrection, and then on Easter day I would wake up as a young boy and search the house for the junk food hidden.
#26
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by snfu73
Funny i know tones of catholics and they don't take it seriously at all. Infact they are the worst people I know for the whole chocolate bunny thing lol I have to agree with you, Sanctus, on this one. A good majority of not only catholics, but christians as a whole, take the easter holidays very seriously...it is a very important time for them...it holds great meaning. I haven't felt like that has been lost by the presence of easter bunnies and gifts, but, that's my viewpoint as an outsider.
#27
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by snfu73
Sure they can. But if they are going to commercialize it they can't bitch about it either. You can't have your cake and eat it too.Why can't a person do both...enjoy the spring, fun rituals of easter, while still celebrating it as a religious holiday?
#28
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by westmanguy
Junk food? I always had to look for fruit. What kinda easter did you have??? I would get up, search for fruit, then we would have a big easter pancake supper.I was raised Protestant and we did both.
We would celebrate Jesus's death and reserrection, and then on Easter day I would wake up as a young boy and search the house for the junk food hidden.
#29
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Nikki
Hey Nikki!!! How it been, long time no see. How's LRG? I understand why they are offened.Don't they believe you shouldn't idolize objects? That being said it's their own fault. Too many catholics focus on the imaginary easter bunny and chocolate instead of their reilgion. It has become commercialized (just like xmas). Therefore its the mess they created. IMO.
Have you guys been stocking up on easter bunnies in anticipation of the big day, lmao.
#30
Re: Chocolate Jesus not to all tastes
Mar 31st, 2007Quote: Originally Posted by Nikki
Well...some people have an issue with it, some don't. I don't think it is the general public that is commercializing it as much as the walmarts of the world who see it as a cash cow. But, I suppose people buy into it and contribute to the commercialization. Anyway, art is most interesting when it is controversial...that's my point...I think.Sure they can. But if they are going to commercialize it they can't bitch about it either. You can't have your cake and eat it too.
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