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http://www.newsmax.com/archives/ic/2007/3/30/212142.shtml?s=ic
Friday, March 30, 2007 9:20 p.m. EDT
Chocolate Jesus Show Canceled
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.
Friday, March 30, 2007 9:20 p.m. EDT
Chocolate Jesus Show Canceled
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.