Different religious beliefs can be so strong that images of saints from different movements have a huge impact on people, but can also offend them. In certain religions, portrayals of personalities are completely prohibited, other beliefs allow you to have images, however, they should not go beyond the orthodox ideas about the faces of saints.
Since the central character of the Western religion is Jesus Christ, it is not surprising that cultural figures, including directors, writers and artists, often tried to convey to people an individual idea of Jesus. Also, it should not surprise public opinion, which did not always meet the expectations of the portrayers of the Son of God. In this article, you will learn about ten views of Jesus that shocked and censured the public.
1
Black christ
In the early 60s of the XX century, an artist from South Africa, Ronald Harrison, painted a picture that was presented to the public in the Cape Town Church of St. Luke. The picture depicted Jesus, but not in a classical representation, but in the image of an active fighter against Apartheid (South African dictatorship infringing black citizens in rights) Albert Lutuli. As you understand, the skin of the impromptu Jesus was a dark shade. Roman soldiers were replaced by South African politicians who actively promoted Apartheid. Lutuli is known for receiving the Nobel Prize in 1960 for his active struggle against the regime of the South African Republic. He was released from the country for only 10 days so that he could collect his award. The icon with the Black Christ led to unrest in society.
As soon as the regime found out about the picture, it was secretly taken out of South Africa. She “traveled” around Europe for a long time, exhibiting in various galleries, after which she settled in the UK, where she was kept until the mid-90s. For an unlawful picture, authorities arrested Harrison, in prison he was interrogated and tortured for a week. In justification, the artist claimed that a government that declared itself Christian could not physically commit crimes by hurting its citizens based only on racial differences. The picture was returned to the exhibition about 10 years ago, and she was again met with hostility.
2
Ecce Homo (Ce, man)
The heart of London, of course, is Trafalgar Square, symbolizing the times of the power of the British Empire, which ruled half of the world. Impressive lions guard a column towering above the square. At the top of the pillar is a monument to Admiral Nelson. Three other heroes from the time of the empire standing on pedestals make up his company. Also on the square there is a fourth pedestal, which has been empty for a long time. At the end of the 20th century, the government announced a competition among sculptors who were to offer their own version of the monument for hoisting on a pedestal. The first place was taken by Mark Wallinger, who presented an alternative vision of the figure of Jesus.
The statue was called Ecce Homo, in the words of Pontius Pilate, addressed to Jesus. She portrayed Christ standing before the people, shortly before her crucifixion. From the very first days, disagreements arose around the statue, based not only around the moral aspect, but also affecting the purely technical side of the issue. Its size was 183 cm, which was unusually small compared to other figures and the size of the area. Someone even commented that it is impossible to believe in the power of a person who looks like a kitten.
Regarding professional criticism, Sir Roy Strong stated that only sheer amateurs, unaware of the basics of fine art, can make such an inappropriate statue. Despite the censure of size and technology, the public liked the statue because of its realism. Of course, she didn’t get to Trafalgar Square, but was put on public display in St. Paul’s Cathedral.
3
Jerry Springer: Opera
The Jerry Springer Show has always been a bad man, and has provoked fits of rage in a decent society. Therefore, do not be surprised at his comedy opera, where the Lord, Jesus and the Virgin Mary are presented in a very original light. In the opera, Jerry Springer appears to be a messiah descending into Hell to settle the conflict between good and evil. Most people negatively evaluated the idea of identifying Jerry with Jesus. It was also offensive to many that the actor who played Jesus / Jerry was portrayed in the first act in a robe of a baby with a pacifier. Although the opera became the winner of many prizes and awards, as a result of the premiere on the stage of the British Theater, it was criticized by the public and caused many protests.
The unrest reached its peak at the time when the BBC decided to shoot based on the production of a television show called "Jerry Springer: Opera." About 55 thousand people signed up under the complaint, having obtained criminal proceedings against the channel. After the case did not receive a move, the lawsuit was sent to the head of the BBC, but he also did not reach the court.
4
The Last Supper
At the end of the 80s of the 20th century, photographer Elizabeth Olson Wallin took a series of photographs depicting scenes from the Bible in a modern interpretation. An innovative idea might seem original, if not for one thing: all the characters in the pictures were transgender or homosexual. Instead of the classic Michelangelo’s play, where the Virgin Mary holds Jesus taken from the cross in her arms, the picture shows a woman holding in her arms a man who had just died of AIDS. But the greatest resonance was caused by a picture with a staging of the Last Supper. On it, Christ sits at the table hand in hand with transgender people and transvestites, and Christ's shoes with high heels are on.
Wallin's works were exhibited in the Uppsala Cathedral in Sweden, as well as throughout the Scandinavian Peninsula in other churches. Despite the liberality of the population, they were criticized. The paradox is that Jesus in the eyes of people is associated with a man who supports those who have gone astray, however, they are not ready to accept him in a new image. The photographer received many anonymous threats, and exhibition centers that agreed to host Wallin promised to disrupt the event.
5
One nation under God
Disagreements between the church and the state have always been one of the main problems of the United States of America, even if it is impossible to determine how big this division can be. Of course, the artist John McNaughton knew what he was doing when he began to write the painting "One Nation Under God." In the center of the picture was Jesus in a white robe, holding the American constitution in his hands. On both sides of it stood prominent figures in the history of the state. At the right hand of Jesus stood people on whom statehood rests: farmers, doctors, teachers, mothers and children. To his left are apostates who violated Christ's “commandments” represented in the picture by the Constitution. Among these people were a Hollywood actor, journalist, judge, scientist promoting Darwin's theory. Oh yes, Satan is also in their company. Quite clumsy work, weakly associated with art.
The picture was immediately subjected to derogatory criticism, people ridiculed both the work itself and its idea. Moreover, many characters represented as "like-minded" Jesus, for example, Thomas Jefferson, during his life rejected his existence. The work was criticized for banality, and a lot of comedy skits appeared on the network, which you can find without much difficulty.
By the way, on our site most-beauty.ru there is still an interesting article about images of gods in various cultures of the world.
6
The last temptation of Christ
The scandalous picture of Martin Scorsese was released in 1988 under the disapproving exclamations of the public, which later turned into real protests, demanding to cancel the screening of “The Last Temptation of Christ”. The picture shows Jesus as an ordinary person who is not alien to carnal desires. In addition, he collaborates with Roman soldiers, giving them Jews, who will then be crucified. In America, some movie theaters vetoed the show. In New York, rallies were gathered both against and in defense of Scorsese's painting. The opinion of people varied from "blasphemy" to "this is an ordinary film." In many countries it was banned from showing, and in some Asian countries the ban is still in force.
But the greatest unrest occurred in France and especially in its capital. A flammable substance was thrown into one of the cinemas, a fire broke out, as a result of which 13 people received serious burns. The cinema was closed for repairs, which lasted several years. Clashes took place across the country between opponents and supporters of the film.
7
The fire in my stomach
Video art often does not get on the front pages of newspapers, especially after 20 years after its creation. In the early 2010s, the work of David Voinarovich became one of the most discussed events in the world of US culture. The work was exhibited in the gallery of the Smithsonian Institution. It included a 13-minute video clip that no one would have known about if it had not been for one circumstance that caused righteous anger among Catholics throughout the country. It's all about a small passage showing a crucifix on which ants crawl.
One of the leaders of the Catholic League could not tolerate such resentment, calling the work of an arthouse artist an attack on all Christianity. Members of Congress with right-wing views advocated that video art be removed from the gallery. Since the institute was financed by precisely these politicians, the work was removed from the show, which caused a backward wave of protest from artists. Many artists, whose works were also presented at the exhibition, tried to pick them up from the gallery. As a result, censorship led to the opposite effect. Thanks to the ban, an unknown video was made public by the world.
8
Ecce mono
Not all provocative works of art related to religion are aimed at trampling shrines on purpose. A comical incident occurred 6 years ago in Spain, where in one of the monasteries there was a fresco depicting Jesus. It was written by Elias Garcia Martinez, and for decades it adorned the wall of the church of the city of Borja, without attracting much attention. Under the influence of time and the environment, the fresco began to crumble, whole layers with paint peeled off from it. To correct the situation, the 81-year-old parishioner of the church, Cecilia Jimenez, decided to restore the fresco. Her skill level was so low that at first the police seriously considered it an act of vandalism. The photo of the “restoration” soon got on the net, where the fresco was called “Ecce Mono”. Such a name is nothing more than a pun, where instead of “Here is a Man” “Here is a Monkey” is suggested.
According to the unfortunate restorer, the priest was aware of her attempts to restore the fresco. Her work caused an unexpected side effect - the city became a place of pilgrimage for tourists who want to see the mural with their own eyes. Entrance fees were paid in the church, and particularly enterprising citizens made souvenirs with images of the renewed Christ.
9
Graffito Alexamenosa
The paintings in which Jesus Christ is portrayed in a compromising light have long been known. By and large, the earliest drawing depicting the crucified Jesus has every right to be considered outrageous and insulting the feelings of Christians. During excavations in Rome, a strange painting was found on a plaster wall near the Palatine Hill. The figure had the caption: "Alexamenos in the process of worshiping God." A man is praying over his signature, praying on his knees, and in front of him is a crucified figure with a human body and the head of a donkey.
Historians have determined that Graffito Aleksamenos was made in about 200 AD. To find out who Aleksamenos is probably will not work out, however, we can understand the motives of such an image of Christ. The Romans considered the crucifixion a humiliation, therefore worshiping a man executed in such a shameful manner was absurd for them. Also at that time there was gossip among the Romans, allegedly the God of the Christians had the head of a donkey. They considered Christianity stupid, as its followers worshiped not only the crucified man, but also the subject of his execution.
10
Piss christ
What do you think will happen if you lower the crucifix into a container with urine? American photographer Andres Serrano received a work of art that brought him worldwide fame, as well as the $ 277,000 that he received by selling his work at auction. The scandalous photo was called "Immersion" or "Piss Christ". The picture was taken in 1987, it shows a crucifix through the prism of a yellow liquid (urine). One name can drive a conservative public crazy, not to mention the content of the photograph. One of the American senators during the meeting said that Serrano is a moron, not an artist. Seven years ago, during an exhibition in Avignon (France), where, among other works, this photograph was also exhibited, aggressive Catholics damaged the work of art with hammers.
Serrano, who did not lose his sensibility, answered critics: “Today, the crucifix has become for us just a fashionable decoration. At the sight of him you are not horrified, although you have a crucified person in front of you. In addition, Jesus who was on the cross not only bleed before his death, but also defecated under himself. Therefore, if Piss Christ offends your feelings, think about what really happened. ”