Visual artist Mideo Cruz and his installation "Poleteismo" is at the center of probably the biggest controversy in the Philippine art scene since the awarding of the title "National Artist" to comic book author extraordinaire and massacre movies stalwart Carlo J. Caparas.
Photo from here
Launched in June 17, Cruz's work was part of an exhibit entitled "Kulo" shown in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Gallery. The exhibit was part of CCP's celebration of Jose Rizal's 159th birthday, it was supposed to run until August 21 but was forced to shut down on August 9 amidst heated critisms from various religious groups, influential (but sexually deprived) personalities, face-time hungry politicians and just about anyone who feels qualified to talk about art, including a multi-awarded, wholesome comedian and senator, Vicente Sotto III (Laban-laban! Bawi-bawi!).
BLASPHEMY?
Included in Cruz's work were an image of Christ with Mickey Mouse ears and bright red dildo and a mixed-media collage with a penis ashtray pasted on a poster of Christ.
Photo from here
According to CCP Chairperson, Emily Abrera, "Kulo" is "shock art" and explicitly solicits awe from its audience. Abrera suggests that artists featured in the exhibit should be given a chance to explain their art. She also added that the CCP should continue to be a venue for artist like Cruz to express their art.
The Senate committee on education, arts and culture held a legislative inquiry regarding the controversial art show. Invited were Mideo Cruz, CCP officials, members of the art community and the academe. Cruz did not attend the proceedings.
National Artist for Literature, Dr. Francisco Sionil Jose said that Cruz's "Poleteismo" was an attempt by an immature and juvenile artist to express himself.
INTELLECTUAL MASTURBATION
In an academic forum held at the University of the Philippines, Mideo Cruz lamented, "I was not aware that my art is that offensive. I was not informed. It's like people were just their waiting for me to paste that penis ashtray on Jesus' face."
President Aguino was reportedly disappointed about the "Kulo" exhibit that he ordered Sec. Leila Delima to place Mideo Cruz and his phallic objects under immigration watch list.
The University of Santo Tomas (UST) set a Guiness record for the world's largest human cross. Three were speculations that the human cross was made to counter the "blasphemous" art exhibit of Mideo Cruz together with other UST visual artists. UST officials call it "Bore Art".
In an interview with dzMM anchor, Jobert Sucaldito, National Artist Carlo J. Caparas said that art and freedom has to have boundaries and should be expressed responsibly. The punchline is the title "National Artist" in front of "Carlo J. Caparas".
Pro-Life Philippines, a Roman Catholic group, said that it will pursue legal actions against CCP officials and the people behind "Kulo". Complaints will be filled before the Ombudsman and Pasay City Prosecutor's Office, together with cases against the proponents of the RH Bill, the PCSO officials who exposed the SUV fiasco and all those they thought did the Roman Catholic Chruch wrong, including Martin Luther, the German priest who initiated the Protestant Movement.
ART IMITATING LIFE
So I guess this is also freedom of expression:
"Art (according to Mideo Cruz)" by Marvin G. aka Pansitlove
Mideo Cruz, together with other artist featured in the "Kulo" exhibit used a form of abstract art called "Dada". Dada aims to critique social, political and cultural norms through "shocking" ridicule of prevailing art standards and norms.
He said, she said that Cruz's "Poleteismo" is a statement against our society's worship of money, power, movie stars, America and others while claiming to be monotheistic Catholic. Speaking for myself, it is offensive, alright but if the aim of the art technique is to be offensive, then it was a success. Pinatunayan lang nito na totoo ang kritisismo ipinapahayag ng Poleteismo, biruin mo, yung mga politko na wala ng masakyan na issue, sinakyan to.
3 comments:
As far as I know, the Supreme Court actually prevented Carlo J. Caparas from receiving the National Artist award right at the last minute.
Yes. SC issued a status quo order against the conferment of the 2009 nominees including Caparas. I think the SC order still stands pending final decision.
I still think the issue with Carlo J. Caparas should have had way more public scrutiny than this. His case has "GMA", "self-indulgence", and "political favors" written all over it. With this exhibit, you can just choose to look away and pray for the poor artist's soul. If Caparas was named a National Artist, it'd be haunting us, our children and our children's children forever.
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