Sensationalist Art
Sensationalist art is a tough one to walk well. Not edgy or pointed enough and people don’t get it or it doesn’t get the required reaction. If it goes over the line too far it just becomes bad taste, which is in itself is very subjective and probably a very liquid measure changing from season to season, year to year.
Over the last few weeks in the run up to Easter, a very life like sculpture of Christ with his attendant crown of thorns and bleeding hands and feet sitting in a wooden electric chair has been exhibited in a cathedral of all place; la cathédrale de Gap (Hautes-Alpes) in the very South East of France near the Italian border. The sculpture (one of three) is by British artist Paul Fryer titled “Pieta” created in 2006.
The sculpture has been exhibited with the blessing of the Bishop of Gap, Monsignor Jean-Michel di Falco and courtesy of François Pinault’s collection. Protests of blaspheme has been refuted by the bishop who has said that he wanted the exhibition to “shock us into regaining the consciousness that a crucifixion was a scandal…. and that the electric chair (today) is no better than a crucifixion”. The bishop also seems pleased with the volume of people, especially those who normally wouldn’t enter the hallowed halls of this catholic cathedral and national monument, who have been prompted to visit during Holy Week.
Paul Fryer (born Leeds, England 1963) currently lives and works in London. He has had a rather interesting life so far and has gone from being an electro pop singer to a transvestite DJ and being recognized as the creator of several well received art-based clubs. He worked at the Italian design house Fendi for five years as a musical director and has also designed books and other printed material for several artists, fashion houses and record labels as well as working as technical consultant for several contemporary artists. During this period he wrote a book of poetry, Don’t Be So…, which was illustrated by Damien Hirst and published by Trolley Books in 2001.
Damien Hirst also owns a “Pieta”. The third one is for sale through the Kristy Stubbs Gallery in Dallas Texas where Fryer had a solo show in 2006.
I find it interesting that the Catholic Church isn’t above using sensationalist art in encouraging new and lapsed patrons to attend and probably adding to the much needed coffers. In this climate we’re all doing what we have to do. Go Monsignor Go!
