Outcry cancels chocolate Jesus show - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

catlover79 · 03-31-2007, 03:31 PM

By LARRY McSHANE, Associated Press Writer
Sat Mar 31, 10:43 AM ET

NEW YORK - A planned Holy Week exhibition of a nude, anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ was canceled Friday after Cardinal Edward Egan and other outraged Catholics complained.

The "My Sweet Lord" display was shut down by the hotel that houses the Lab Gallery in midtown Manhattan. Roger Smith Hotel president James Knowles cited the public outcry for his decision.

The reaction "is crystal clear and has brought to our attention the unintended reaction of you and other conscientious friends of ours to the exhibition," Knowles wrote in the two-paragraph cancellation notice.

Matt Semler, the gallery's creative director, resigned in protest.

The six-foot sculpture was the victim of "a strong-arming from people who haven't seen the show, seen what we're doing," Semler said. "They jumped to conclusions completely contrary to our intentions."

But word of the confectionary Christ infuriated Catholics, including Egan, who described it as "a sickening display." Bill Donohue, head of the watchdog Catholic League, said it was "one of the worst assaults on Christian sensibilities ever."

The hotel and the gallery were overrun Thursday with angry phone calls and e-mails about the exhibit. Semler said the calls included death threats over the work of artist Cosimo Cavallaro, who was described as disappointed by the decision to cancel the display.

"In this situation, the hotel couldn't continue to be supportive because of a fear for their own safety," Semler said.

The sculpture was to debut Monday evening, the day after Palm Sunday and just four days before Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. The final day of the exhibit was planned for Easter Sunday.

The artwork was created from more than 200 pounds of milk chocolate, and features Christ with his arms outstretched as if on an invisible cross. Unlike the typical religious portrayal of Christ, the Cavallaro creation does not include a loincloth.

Cavallaro hoped the sculpture could go on display elsewhere, according to Semler.

Cavallaro is best known for his quirky work with food as art: Past efforts include repainting a Manhattan hotel room in melted mozzarella, spraying five tons of pepper jack cheese on a Wyoming home, and festooning a four-poster bed with 312 pounds of processed ham.
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What a TASTELESS (figureatively, not literally) idea.

TJL · 03-31-2007, 03:57 PM

Good.

To unveil a statue like that right before Easter is a terrible and disrespectful thing to do.

Let's see this guy make a sculpture of Mohammed and display it during Rhamadan.

Oh wait, I forgot, Catholism is the only religion that's supposed to be bashed by artists.

catlover79 · 03-31-2007, 04:10 PM

I can't believe these idiots thought an anatomically correct nude Jesus statue made of chocolate would go over well during HOLY WEEK!!

TJ, you are right on the money. Serves them right.

ABlairican Pie · 04-01-2007, 12:47 AM

Okay, historically, yeah, Jesus was crucified without the benefit of any clothing, in an attempt to humiliate Him as well as to inflict pain and scorched skin in the sun. Not something we wish to contemplate but it's true.

But....

An anatomically correct Jesus made out of an edible substance..... Oh, how the mind reels.....

What manner of blasphemy-for-art-and-profit will they think of next.

Janice · 04-01-2007, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ABlairican Pie

What manner of blasphemy-for-art-and-profit will they think of next.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/popup?id=2976393

How about Jesus as a dog.

catlover79 · 04-02-2007, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janice

http://abcnews.go.com/US/popup?id=2976393

How about Jesus as a dog.

That's just WRONG.

D-Dey · 04-03-2007, 08:30 PM

I would think the risk of it melting was enough to make it a waste.

Yooch · 04-03-2007, 08:55 PM

As well it should...IMO

Socom · 04-03-2007, 09:34 PM

I heard about the chocolate Jesus all over the news after the artist who created it introduced it. I knew that it was going to be taken down because the hotel's president wouldn't risk losing money and popullarity over something like this.

seventies_sitcoms · 04-05-2007, 10:54 PM

There are more important things in this world to worry about than some chocolate in the form of Jesus.

03-31-2007, 03:31 PM	#1
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	Outcry cancels chocolate Jesus show By LARRY McSHANE, Associated Press Writer Sat Mar 31, 10:43 AM ET NEW YORK - A planned Holy Week exhibition of a nude, anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ was canceled Friday after Cardinal Edward Egan and other outraged Catholics complained. The "My Sweet Lord" display was shut down by the hotel that houses the Lab Gallery in midtown Manhattan. Roger Smith Hotel president James Knowles cited the public outcry for his decision. The reaction "is crystal clear and has brought to our attention the unintended reaction of you and other conscientious friends of ours to the exhibition," Knowles wrote in the two-paragraph cancellation notice. Matt Semler, the gallery's creative director, resigned in protest. The six-foot sculpture was the victim of "a strong-arming from people who haven't seen the show, seen what we're doing," Semler said. "They jumped to conclusions completely contrary to our intentions." But word of the confectionary Christ infuriated Catholics, including Egan, who described it as "a sickening display." Bill Donohue, head of the watchdog Catholic League, said it was "one of the worst assaults on Christian sensibilities ever." The hotel and the gallery were overrun Thursday with angry phone calls and e-mails about the exhibit. Semler said the calls included death threats over the work of artist Cosimo Cavallaro, who was described as disappointed by the decision to cancel the display. "In this situation, the hotel couldn't continue to be supportive because of a fear for their own safety," Semler said. The sculpture was to debut Monday evening, the day after Palm Sunday and just four days before Christians mark the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on Good Friday. The final day of the exhibit was planned for Easter Sunday. The artwork was created from more than 200 pounds of milk chocolate, and features Christ with his arms outstretched as if on an invisible cross. Unlike the typical religious portrayal of Christ, the Cavallaro creation does not include a loincloth. Cavallaro hoped the sculpture could go on display elsewhere, according to Semler. Cavallaro is best known for his quirky work with food as art: Past efforts include repainting a Manhattan hotel room in melted mozzarella, spraying five tons of pepper jack cheese on a Wyoming home, and festooning a four-poster bed with 312 pounds of processed ham. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- What a TASTELESS (figureatively, not literally) idea.
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03-31-2007, 03:57 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,588	Good. To unveil a statue like that right before Easter is a terrible and disrespectful thing to do. Let's see this guy make a sculpture of Mohammed and display it during Rhamadan. Oh wait, I forgot, Catholism is the only religion that's supposed to be bashed by artists.
	__________________ "I think I'll stroll up to the front to see how the shooting's going..." - Capt. Benjamin Franklin "Hawkeye" Pierce Read my blogs! http://centralparkamisguide.com/ http://dvdcriticscorner.com Visit me on Facebook!http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=641138880 Hey, I do the tweet thing too! http://twitter.com/TomLevier My shop of handmade items! http://www.etsy.com/shop/ColdGarageCreations

04-01-2007, 12:47 AM	#4
ABlairican Pie Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 12, 2001 Location: Living where cats reign more Supreme than a pizza. Posts: 31,619	Okay, historically, yeah, Jesus was crucified without the benefit of any clothing, in an attempt to humiliate Him as well as to inflict pain and scorched skin in the sun. Not something we wish to contemplate but it's true. But.... An anatomically correct Jesus made out of an edible substance..... Oh, how the mind reels..... What manner of blasphemy-for-art-and-profit will they think of next.
	__________________ Release the kitties. --Nathan Explosion

04-03-2007, 08:30 PM	#7
D-Dey Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 11, 2000 Location: Long Island, New York, USA Posts: 5,531	I would think the risk of it melting was enough to make it a waste.
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04-03-2007, 08:55 PM	#8
Yooch Member Forum 3000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 07, 2006 Location: California Posts: 3,180	As well it should...IMO
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03-31-2007, 04:10 PM	#3
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,392	I can't believe these idiots thought an anatomically correct nude Jesus statue made of chocolate would go over well during HOLY WEEK!! TJ, you are right on the money. Serves them right.

04-03-2007, 09:34 PM	#9
Socom Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 26, 2007 Posts: 15	I heard about the chocolate Jesus all over the news after the artist who created it introduced it. I knew that it was going to be taken down because the hotel's president wouldn't risk losing money and popullarity over something like this.

04-05-2007, 10:54 PM	#10
seventies_sitcoms * Senior Member Join Date: Jan 09, 2005 Posts: 2,244	There are more important things in this world to worry about than some chocolate in the form of Jesus.