Artist Mideo Cruz with the tamer parts of the installation.
He said he wanted to provoke thought and debate. He wanted it, he got it, plus a ton-full of fury from many a Catholic devout in the Philippines.
"That's not art! Art has limitations," cries the pissed public.
"F**k you, Mideo! You'll rot in hell," says another Christian.
While I do not necessarily consider Mideo Cruz's work my cup of tea (despite my sometimes grotesque fixation,), art is selfish (and perverse, too, if you'd ask Beethoven). Art IS used as another tool in sending a strong message from the messenger, in this case, from the controversial artist Mr. Cruz. Now, it's up to the recipients to subject themselves to thinking what they are thinking about his much-criticized and frowned upon "Poleteismo" installation at the CCP. While Imelda Marcos (the person who's responsible for the creation of CCP) has expressed her disdain over the work, it's curious that some of the other vocal critics haven't even stepped foot inside the CCP, ever. That would mean that they are speaking their mind about something they really are not familiar with, describing it as ugly or disrespectful, without regard for knowledge--which kind of suggests that art isn't really universal after all. If it offends, it must be killed--or vandalized and closed down, in this case.
On the other side, Mideo Cruz must've miscalculated his movements, assuming his work would stir controversy. While that actually took place, I doubt if he anticipated to hear the WORST from the "victim"--the Catholic Church and even from his alma mater, who both condemned him like a bad momma. Mr. Cruz must've thought he was only getting ready to be questioned by the art community--the community with whom he proudly associates himself. Nothing but harmless banter between like minds, right? Hell, wrong. The country is predominantly Catholic, 'nuff said.
I also wonder if Mr. Cruz is or was Catholic, otherwise he already was shooting himself on the foot from the get-go. Why thoroughly use something you really had no first-hand experience of?
Verdict: Give or take Mr. Cruz didn't mean to offend anyone, the damage has been done and the Church is deeply upset. Give or take the Catholic Church now aims to end Mr. Cruz's career as an artist, they are not helping the cause by continuously taking it to our circus-y broadcasters, or by having the exhibit shut down. For someone who is relatively unknown, bad publicity is always good publicity.
--Soc
Mideo Cruz may be a lot of things but I don’t think that he’s sent by the devil, as what was passionately proclaimed by a politician during a speech. (Er... I can sense some irony there.) Cruz is the artist behind the “graphic” Poleteismo exhibit which was part of the now closed Kulo showcase in the CCP, if you’re living under a rock and don’t know about it.
So, while I don’t exactly agree with the method used to convey polytheism, I also feel that it should’ve been given a second or even a third look rather than just feeling like a wronged teenager. I don’t actually think that the pieces in question are done for shock’s sake, as some people have claimed, because we have to look at the bigger picture to understand what the artist is trying to convey. All artworks, I feel deserve a second look and second thought. The exhibit was made to elicit something and it did. Art is there to coax a reaction from the people who see it. If it doesn’t, well, it’s just sad.
Represents the consistency of our brains once Friday rolls around.
Icons are icons, whether be it the image of Christ, Buddha or a can of Campbell soup. From what I understood, Poleteismo is the juxtaposition of the modern and traditional icons. Though I have to admit that sticking a wooden penis on Jesus’ face made me uncomfortable, being raised a Catholic and all, and in defense for the institution, I have to relent that the Church should feel uncomfortable seeing their icons like that. After all, they are symbols that represent them. But also, the whole death threats and name calling are just going too far. So, I was just uncomfortable with it but of course, the Church cried foul and overreacted like crazy over it and this is coming at the heel of the Church crying foul over the whole luxury cars hoopla and the RH Bill. (Really Church, you could’ve reacted when this was first shown. It was even shown in Ateneo. Church, why are you making it so hard for me to like you?)
Well, all’s been done and the exhibit is now closed and the head of the Visual Department has resigned. (There is a nice media statement by CCP VP Chris Millado somewhere.) More than the damage the publicity has done to the people involved, I think there is a rising majority now that questions the Church more than ever. This feels like rather than keeping the congregation in line with the traditional teachings, it’s more like whipping the congregation to conform to the teachings - add to that the Congress that is threatening to use state powers. Just see the reaction on the RH Bill. I think that natural contraception is nice and all but when there is a population problem, we have to resort to methods to be able to control it. But, I digress.
Even after all the controversy and trying to inform myself, I’m still quite on the fence with this one leaning mostly on the artistic freedom. However, there is a nagging thought in my mind that probably Cruz has gone too far. But the censorship and what I think an abuse of power is just stunting the art growth in the Philippines. I’m no art critic nor am I well-versed in religious sensibilities but in all these, an open mind, above all, is a good thing to have.
(I’m not making sense. And I like to use parentheses.)
And I also like Buddy Jesus.
-- Tula
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