I'm all for artistic license but not like this next story. If you have been a frequent reader of this blog, you should be very familiar with its predominant theme-bringing to the public discourse the loss of our culture. This loss encompasses all of America's artistic manifestations-ethnic art, music, photography, paintings, etc. The sculpture (pictured above) is a depiction of Jesus Christ made out of approx. 200lbs of chocolate. What makes this story controversial is that the sculpture displays Christ without a loincloth, somewhat sexualizing the religious figure. I sincerely doubt that it is coincidental that the exhibit is being displayed during the Easter season. The chocolate Jesus or the aptly named, My Sweet Lord exhibit is the creation of artist, Cosimo Cavallaro who has gained a reputation for using food to create his sculptures. What really frustrates me about this is that we have been down this road before-there will always be someone, artist or opportunist (you pick the correct nomenclature) that will push the alleged artistic envelope for the public's prurient interest. Famed "artist" Robert Mapplethorpe, went down this same road of filth more than a decade ago with crass photographs depicting men (and men of color especially) in highly questionable and sexually disturbing positions. Thankfully, local Catholic associations banded together and the chocolate Christ exhibit has been canceled. Now if only we can rally our citizenry to put a dent in the disrespectful minstrel music machine that assaults Black imagery on a daily basis-I'm sure such an effort would make Jesus proud. For more on the My Sweet Jesus controversy and Robert Mapplethorpe check the links below:
Outcry Cancels Chocolate Jesus Show
Gallery Director May Resign Over Chocolate Jesus Exhibition
Wiki on Robert Mapplethorpe
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