Chocolate Jesus

[skippy]

Chocolate Jesus display shut down after Catholic cardinal called it 'sickening'

Fri Mar 30, 3:21 PM

NEW YORK (AP) - A planned Holy Week exhibition of a nude, anatomically correct chocolate sculpture of Jesus Christ was cancelled Friday amid a choir of complaining Catholics that included Cardinal Edward Egan.

The "My Sweet Lord" display was shut down by the hotel that houses the Lab Gallery in midtown Manhattan, said Matt Semler, the gallery's creative director. Semler said he submitted his resignation after officials at the Roger Smith Hotel shut down the show.

The 1.8-metre 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 Roman Catholics 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 is best known for his quirky work with food as art: Past efforts include repainting a Manhattan hotel room in melted mozzarella and spraying five tonnes of pepper jack cheese on a Wyoming home.

[ODDS]

I put a booger on your door knob.

[The Judge]

ODDS, please stop.

[skippy]

Would there have been an uproar if they had used "White Chocolate?"

[TCD619]

saw this on CNN. he's an artist. let him do what he wants.
wasn't trying to offend anyone.

[skippy]

http://communities.canada.com/nation...ate-jesus.aspx

[revnecro1273]

Originally Posted by tdiddy619

saw this on CNN. he's an artist. let him do what he wants.
wasn't trying to offend anyone.

i agree...who cares what they want...it is freedom of speech...but when the fricking bible toters offend the rest of the people by trying to impose their crap religion on everyone, and someone complains, they say **** off to us...typical hypocritical follow throughs

[skippy]

Originally Posted by revnecro1273

i agree...who cares what they want...it is freedom of speech...but when the fricking bible toters offend the rest of the people by trying to impose their crap religion on everyone, and someone complains, they say **** off to us...typical hypocritical follow throughs

People were not complaining about religion.

They were complaining about the chocolate penis.

[revnecro1273]

Originally Posted by skippy

People were not complaining about religion.

They were complaining about the chocolate penis.

yeah...and these were lame azz religious zealots

[skippy]

Originally Posted by revnecro1273

yeah...and these were lame azz religious zealots

Not everyone....

The uproar occurred when a small number of people were fighting over who would get the chocolate penis should the statue be broken down and the chocolate pieces be given away.