Forbidden Art exhibit of previously barred artwork in Russia under investigation
Date: 2006-present
Region: Russia and Central Asia
Subject: Religious
Medium: Painting and Mixed Media
Artist: Various artists who have had works barred from galleries through 2006.
Confronting Bodies: Russian Orthodox Church leaders
Dates of Action: 2007
Location: Andrei Sakharov Museum and Public Center, Moscow
Description of Artwork: The exhibit contained various controversial artworks including fornicating homosexual soldiers, swear words, and close-ups of genitalia. However, the pieces most in question feature Vladimir Lenin's head placed on Jesus Christ and of the faithful worshipping Mickey Mouse instead of Jesus Christ and a silhouette of the Virgin Mary and son filled with black caviar.
The Incident: Members of the Russian Orthodox Church have staged rallies against the exhibit in which they tried to attach stickers saying, "This is filth" to the building before police stopped them. Now they are prompting charges of abuse of religious symbols.
In 2003, the museum had similar charges brought against it over it's show, "Caution: Religion" which featured similar works blending pop culture with religion. For that incident they were fined.
Results of Incident: The Museum is currently under investigation to see if it meant to incite ethnic or religious hatred.
Source: russiaprofile.org
