Outlook (exhibition)
Date: 2003
Region: Europe
Subject: Religion, Nudity
Medium: Painting
Artist: Art curator Christos Ioakimidis, Painting by Thierry de Cordier
Confronting Bodies: Ioakimidis; Giorgos Karatzaferis, leader of the Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS)
Dates of Action: December, 2003
Location: Athens, Greece
Description of Artwork: Painting by de Cordier depicted a naked, erect penis on the left-hand side and a wooden cross with semen on it on the right
The Incident: As part of Greece's effort to participate in Europe's contemporary art scene, Iaokimidis helped put together Outlook, Greece's biggest ever contemporary art exhibit. It included de Cordier's painting. When Karatzaferis saw the painting, he immediately objected to its "indecent" content and, through his organization, attacked the work and the event.
Results of Incident: The painting was taken down with a note in its place to explain its removal. Curator Ioakimidis was put on trial in misdeanors court for having chosen the painting for Outlook.
Source: www.platformes.com press release, May 29, 2005 http://info.ekathimerini.com
