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Danny Boy by Daniel O'Carroll

'Blasphemous' exhibit sparks international outrage, before it's even begun

Posted on Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 11:41 AM

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A 'blasphemous' exhibit depicting 'Our Lady of Guadalupe' in a floral bikini is to go on show in University College Cork (UCC) tomorrow -- and critics have begun attacking the 'artwork' before it's even begun.

'Our Lady and Other Queer Santas' is the brainchild of Alma Lopez, a graduate of the University of California at Irvine - a well-known target of criticism from religious Catholic groups, and is being displayed as part of a weekend conference on Hispanic Studies taking place at the university.

The conference is to discuss the ins and outs of Chicano culture, alongside a discussion of the plight of Mexicans in US culture, but it's the exhibit that has been making the headlines recently, and attracting the critics.

A discussion on popular Irish radio broadcaster Joe Duffy's Liveline programme gave airtime to some strong opponents of the exhibition, while a number of figures on the blogosphere have criticized the display, which is due to go on show in the college's O'Rahilly Building.

This morning local politician Jerry Buttimer even chimed in with his two cents, calling it 'denigrating' to adherents of the Catholic faith.

The exhibit sits very broadly within the context of a larger debate in Irish society about blasphemy itself.

A controversial 'Blasphemy Law' was passed at the start of this year, and was decried as a retrograde step by many in the Irish media at the time.

It's since been proven to be largely irrelevant and unenforceable -- 'blasphemous' utterances and displays, such as (arguably) this, continue to go on, and its use seems likely to be largely nfined to cases of blasphemy that are likely to incite hatred on religious grounds. Nevertheless, it continues to prove to be a major bone of contention between the law-making establishment and those governed by its decrees.

Irish universities are also generally libertarian in nature (as they are almost everywhere), and this display (which has attracted local as well as international attention), is a typical case of the collegiate 'free speech' movement clashing with the pervasive (though rapidly demising) influence of the Catholic Church, which once held such an iron-cast grip on Irish society.

As for my own two cents on the exhibition (this being a blog, after all), I have no shame in admitting that I would lend my broad support to those signing petitions against it.

Sensitivity to religion and other peoples' belief systems cannot simply be whitewashed away under a mass current of free speech and libertarianism, and this depiction - while not grossly offensive or obscene - could still find a more suitable home than at a university, which is supposed, at least in my understanding of the concept, to be a place of mutual respect and understanding for others.

> Interesting article from the Irish Examiner with a little more detail about it, here.

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eiriamach | Sep 17, 2011, 12:02 PM EDT

The artist Alma Lopez has commented on this artwork and thanked the Irish for the attention they've given to her exhibition. On the Cork Student News web site, she writes, "For me as a Mexican-born Chicana, the Virgin of Guadalupe is an important cultural image that I grew up with in my family and in my community, and that graces the walls of my own home. More than a religious icon, the Virgin of Guadalupe is a revolutionary image of indigenous resistance to colonization and genocide." That's a point that we might find parallels to in Irish history. Her "Lady of Guadalupe" depicts strong indigenous women, she says, and it was never intended for display as a religious image. She urges the Irish to remove anti-blasphemy laws and to restore freedom of expression for all.

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seanomelbourne | Jun 28, 2011, 08:33 PM EDT

Maybe the centre piece should picture a magdelene sister sprouting horns

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GeorgeDillon | Jun 28, 2011, 02:27 PM EDT

It's nonsense for O'Carroll to crow about "free speech" on Irish campuses. Try holding a meeting to call for an end to Mass Immigration, you'll be greeted by howls and yelps from all corners.

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PhoenixZouave | Jun 28, 2011, 10:18 AM EDT

What's the use of being in college, if you can't shake up the Establishment? When I was at Notre Dame, the bishop of South Bend was always trying to throw his weight around on campus. Nothing new here!

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mamaginnty | Jun 26, 2011, 10:52 AM EDT

Gearoid you mean the keys of authority that the Vatican has, Catholicism is definitly not the core element of Christianity, thats what Your.. bible is telling You.. to believe, If I said Allah be with you, what would you think or say?? I would like to know

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Gearoid4 | Jun 25, 2011, 11:38 PM EDT

Catholicism is the core element of Christianity, mama and it's legitimacy comes from the keys of authority explicitly given to Peter(Matthew 16:18) the first head of the Church that Christ founded.

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Kilbarry1 | Jun 25, 2011, 06:25 PM EDT

I recall the time of the Danish Cartoons controversy a few years ago when the Boston Globe refused to publish the Muhammad cartoons "out of respect for the feelings of Muslims". A number of readers pointed out that they had published photos of the "Piss Christ" exhibit no less than THREE times. The Globe Ombudsman replied that two wrongs don't make a right - something like that. ....... You could interpret that reply as a kind of belated apology to Catholics but I wouldn't bet on it. The hypocrites had to say something and that was the best they could manage!

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mamaginnty | Jun 25, 2011, 04:46 PM EDT

All this about catholicism, as if catholisism is thee one and only. It might turn your heads to read on internet, the "verbal attacks on islam by pope Benedict" and read "the differance between catholicism and christianity"

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jnewnam | Jun 25, 2011, 02:07 PM EDT

Medjugorje, anyone?

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Gearoid4 | Jun 25, 2011, 09:28 AM EDT

JessNiLeacai, Yeah, it is easy to jump on a bandwagon rather like this artist and her supporters. To paraphrase Voltaire, we can disagree totally with a viewpoint but defend the right of someone to say it in public. But that does not mean that there is an absence of boundaries regarding the right of expression. People should use that freedom honorably without a total denigration of the sacred beliefs or icons of others. Helmet, I must correct on your assertion that God has not manifested himself. If you were the owner of a bible you would read about numerous instances of God making his presence known. The Creator revealed himself to Moses at Mount Horeb(Exodus 3:2) in the form of a burning bush. The ultimate representation of God was Jesus Christ Himself who stated "..Jesus answered: "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?..."(John 14:9).

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helmet365 | Jun 25, 2011, 08:42 AM EDT

There is no such thing as blasphemy. If a horse had a God it would be a horse. As horses cannot express who humans are we cannot express who God is. God has not manifested himself or herself to anyone or any religion on earth. The blasphemy only exists in the minds of followers of religion with their on going "my God is bigger than your God" theme.Follow the the sheep and you will be enslaved. Go for it UCC.

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CaptainCon | Jun 25, 2011, 08:35 AM EDT

Mental illness added to an inability to use a public library is now being touted as a way to live in society it seems. It is about time these loons were rounded up and put in a few re-opened Letterfracks where they can foam and sfuffle around on their knees all day long. Sick of these insane and deeply stupid social mullahs.

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mecca87 | Jun 25, 2011, 08:00 AM EDT

art is art, we have in the past in ireland anyway been to quick to condem artists remember joyce. i am 100% anti-blasphemous prob more for islams sake but then every religion should have the same respect, but if its not an attack on religion or intended as an insult then art shouldnt have to suffer.

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CaptainCon | Jun 25, 2011, 01:42 AM EDT

Stuff the Bishop of Cork and Ross. What gives that arrogant man the idea that he can restrict any exhibition? UCC should and I believe are quite right to ignore this nonsensical mullah.

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ciarrai | Jun 24, 2011, 11:14 PM EDT

This is a crappy thing to make public. However, this can't lay a glove on Almighty God and, lest we forget, that same Almighty God made this "artist" and loves her the same as the rest of us. Life is funny and people have the right to make mistakes and learn from them. Catholics ought to be proud that we have the tolerance and forbearance which allows us to not seek to kill "the artist" as would happen if it were Allah or Muhammed and we were Muslims. Just a quick reaction.

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