An art installation of Catholic religious symbols at the Cultural Center of the Philippines opened last week. Unexpectedly, the artist Mideo Cruz created scandal and heated debates on his exhibit.
We got intrigued by his work. What does this exhibit show that so many people got upset with it? Why did it create uproar with the Catholic conservatives?
My husband finished Fine Arts in college so art appreciation is a thing for him. One night, my husband said he will be going out with some of his college friends to see the highly-criticized exhibit. I insisted on going with him. I may not be an artist like them, but at the very least, I know how to appreciate artists and their works. (I got 1.25 in Humanities 101! LOL.) Besides, I would also like to personally see what Cruz calls his “artwork”.
Cruz, a 37-year old visual and performance artist, called his art installation “Poleteismo” or “Polytheism”. According to him, polytheism refers to the worship of relics and how idolatry evolves through history and modern culture. The art installation displayed is a blend of Christ and common symbols of pop culture.
