One of the great things about Examiner.com is you can check out local writers/Examiners here in San Diego and all over the nation.  LA Atheism Examiner Hugh Kramer published an article Oct. 15th entitled "Artist crucifies ape and electrocutes Jesus" which caught my attention.  It was actually quite interesting so I thought I would share some of it with you, as well as additional thoughts and information.

Within a former church in London, England is an art exhibition entitled "The Age of the Marvelous." Among the artists being showcased is Paul Fryer who says his work is not meant to be offensive, but rather to provoke debate; however, it seems rather obvious that some Christians would indeed be offended since he uses provocative and sacred Christian symbols including a wooden cross upon which a gorilla is crucified (The Privilege of Dominion), as well as a blackened Jesus Christ electrocuted in a chair. (Pieta)

Despite his claim not to offend, the press release from All Visual Arts regarding this event states: "Fryer's Pieta, a strikingly life-like black Christ in an electric chair and The Privilege of Dominion, a wax effigy of a primate nailed to the cross will certainly cause strong reactions for some, and may evoke sadness and compassion as well as outrage."

Paul Fryer knows what he's doing, and so do the people hosting the event. 

Here you can see photos and images of the wax model preparation and Jesus was not black.  One could surmise that the artist later concluded that after being fried in an electric chair, Jesus would be burnt black, but instead Fryer said it was intended to challenge people's notions of race and religion. Really?  Because the Jesus he made lacks ethnic features attributable to any race other than Caucasian.  Yet it is "a statement about the disproportionately large number of black people on death row in the United States."  Hugh Kramer also quotes Paul Fryer as saying "If they had had the chair in Christ's time, people would be wearing little electric chairs now," (instead of crosses around their necks) which is far from an original thought.

Regarding the gorilla on a cross, it is said to highlight the plight of the Western Lowland Gorilla as well as challenge the idea that animals have no souls.  Maybe this is a good thing, and people who are curious will investigate and help the troubled beasts.  As far as animals having souls: they are living souls, but once they die they return to the dust of the earth and their spirit goes down, not up like man's. (Ecclesiastes 3:18-21)

All in all, it is indeed a collection which should stir emotions, evoke discussions, and draw visitors to the former Holy Trinity Church who might not otherwise have ever known or cared.  Success!

If you would like to go to a local, most likely less offensive, art event then hurry over to the Old Town San Diego Art Festival which started yesterday Oct. 17th and continues today from 10 a.m to 6 p.m.

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For additional source of information used in this article:  click here

photo:  Copyright 2009 AFP