Politeismo in CCP: Two sides of the coin and the aftermath

via   philstar.com

Politeismo, polytheism in English, is the belief of multiple deities also usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses, along with their own mythologies and rituals. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polytheism)

Politeismo is also the title of Mideo Cruz’s artwork which was featured in ‘Kulo’, an exhibit recently held in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Though ‘Kulo’ had other artworks in display, it was Cruz’s that stole the show for twisting Catholic icons, most notably, putting a dick on Jesus Christ’s face and giving Virgin Mary a condom. 

While this artwork can be easily passed off as one’s right to exercise creativity and freedom of expression in more liberated countries that have no official state religions, here in the Philippines where most people are Catholics, it’s an entirely different ballgame.

 
For what seems like an attack on the Catholic Church, most people can’t embrace Cruz’s Politeismo despite the positive feedback he received from notable artists and art enthusiasts in other countries. And this led to attacks on his work and character by a good number of Catholics (some even went as far as sending him threats). However, it’s good to note that a Catholic institution, the University of Santo Tomas, is supporting said artwork, and they’re not even the first. The exhibit has been shown in Ateneo de Manila University back in 2002.

Because of its nature, Politeismo has transcended art and has dragged other matters (the Constitution, legal implications, obscenity, communication values and ethics, and religion to name a few) into discussions concerning the controversy surrounding it.

And to cover all bases, here’s two ways of looking at Politeismo.

IN HIS DEFENSE

Karen Davila, on her radio program Pasada Sais Trenta (which she co-hosts with Vic Lima), has called out Cruz to explain the rationale behind Politeismo, in hopes of either clearing his name and artwork, or to enlighten the people with his intention of producing such pieces of art. However, Cruz hasn’t been available for comment the past few days. 

On the other hand, Manila Standard Today’s Jenny Ortuoste had better luck as she was able to interview Cruz. Here are some excerpts. (For Ortuoste’s full interview, click here)

Q: “What is your reaction to the negative comments to your art—“blasphemy”, “sacrilege”, and so on?”

Mideo Cruz: “As a visual artist, the images I create contain more explanation than my words. Images are open to various interpretations on the basis of the viewer’s perspective, maturity, and imagination.  

“I cannot please everybody. I cannot tell them exactly how they will look and translate my work but may I say, please don’t stop on the surface; if you will close your eyes upon seeing the images, there are more things to see.  

“Sometimes we need to realize that what we are looking at is the mirror of our society and of ourselves. The uproar might be the unconscious denial of seeing ourselves truthfully in the mirror. The realities in our society are the real blasphemy of our own image, the blasphemy of our sacred self.” 

Q:  “When you conceived this work, did you think the majority of Filipinos were ready for this kind of thing? Or did you go ahead knowing that there would be many negative comments?” 

Mideo: “Michael Steiner, the Swiss movie director, used to tell me “Your works are not really for a Filipino audience, they may not be ready to see those images.” But when we will be ready? Some philosophers say that we are now leaving the era of post-modernism; the world now is talking about same-sex marriage and here in the Philippines we are still talking if it is morally right to use a condom. We are now the only nation that doesn’t have a divorce law. 

“Next year the physicists in Geneva are expecting some new discoveries from the 70 million “god particles” from the Large Hadron Collider. Who would dare to do something outside convention if we will be afraid to go out of the box? We wouldn’t know that the sun is the center of the solar system if Copernicus was afraid to be tagged a heretic. People should not be afraid to introduce things outside the norm; the dialectics must continue and we should not be afraid of change.” 

Q:  “With this controversy, what would you say are the prevailing or dominant attitudes in the country when it comes to works that touch on religious matters?” 

Mideo: “That’s where I started trying to understand the making of the sacred and how the people contribute to that. Then I reconstruct it with parallel meanings relevant to our life as people. It really depends on the audience how they perceive the images, there are various reactions of course. 

“Most of the people who reacted violently haven’t seen the actual work nor tried to read the signifiers more. Or some saw it first on TV where it already directed them to where they will focus their mind upon seeing the images. They are in another context and not in the context of an art space wherein the experience they will gain is open for critical discourse. “One integral part is we are so afraid to use the phallic, whereas it is part of our ancient culture. Even in our own language it is a taboo to mention it.”

Aside from being open to various interpretations, CCP Officer Chris Millado, in an interview two days ago on Pasada Sais Trenta, said that works like Politeismo were meant not only to be appreciated but to also challenge audiences. Besides, Cruz is simply exercising his freedom of expression.

And due to the similarities of US and Philippine laws and Constitution, there’s Cohen v. California wherein one man’s vulgarity is another person’s lyric.

Lastly, I’m giving Cruz the benefit of the doubt. Since he didn’t encounter problems when Politeismo was shown overseas, in the University of the Philippines and in ADMU, he probably thought displaying it in CCP wouldn’t be any different.

TO HIS OFFENSE

Now, let me take a crack at the strong points of Cruz’s argument (in bold font of his interview with Ortuoste).

*open to various interpretations – Being an artist and seeing his line of reasoning, it’s safe to assume that Cruz is a smart dude, so I can’t help but feel that he knew what he’s getting into when he made Politeismo. Even though he managed to get away with it earlier, he knew it would piss someone off eventually, especially when he’s taking it on tour around the Philippines. If we put it this way, then Politeismo is nothing but a mere form of shock art, designed to help its creator earn big bucks at the expense of others.

*don’t stop on the surface – Like other forms of media (e.g. Black Swan), sometimes artworks deserve a closer look in order to be understood. However, there’s a reason why some people have trouble understanding Black Swan (myself included). It’s because the artist does not share his level of thinking with the audience. And that’s not a bad thing because some of us are just built that way, or are too occupied to take a second look.

With that said, I’m just disappointed with Millado’s defense of Politeismo, saying something like the public needs to be educated more when it comes to the arts. So what’re you saying Chris? That those who are against the controversial artwork are dumbasses? For one, we can’t all be art enthusiasts. So again, you can’t expect us to look for symbolisms. Two, the negative feedback Politeismo is getting may not root from the deep understanding you are hoping for, but it is more or less backed by education attained from elementary (M.A.P.E.) and college (Humanities), so it’s still valid and counts. After all, art is open to various interpretations. All opinions are acceptable, and therefore, right. So when people find the work offensive, then it must be.

Besides, how can you ask for deeper understanding for an artwork that doesn’t deserve it? It’s as blunt as a comic book and it was executed in such a simple fashion. I mean, for what seems like a sculpture of Christ that can easily be purchased from Paete, Laguna, the best Cruz could do was add a genital and animal ears to it. Where’s the complexity in that? Really, with that kind of art, you leave little room for imagination.

*the mirror of our society and of ourselves – Fair enough. The things you attached to the images of Christ and Mary reflect most of the issues that present society is dealing with. However, Judeo-Christian teachings state that man was created in the image of God, not the other way around. You can argue that not all Christians believe Jesus Christ is God, or not all Christians favor sculptures of Christ, Mary and saints, or the image of Jesus Christ, as we know it, is wrong. We can argue about all of these forever and not one side would give in. But one thing’s for sure, this is what works for the Catholics. They don’t necessarily worship these sculptures but use them as tools that would remind them of God (or so they say). And by adding something to these images that they so revere is a sign of disrespect towards their religion. And this is where Cruz’s freedom of expression ends. Why? Because Article 201 of the Revised Penal Code said so.

The “offend any race or religion” part is obvious. But by applying the Miller Test, no matter how much Cruz or CCP defends it, Politeismo can also be deemed obscene.

*Your works are not really for a Filipino audience… But when we will be ready?... the world now is talking about same-sex marriage and here in the Philippines we are still talking if it is morally right to use a condom. We are now the only nation that doesn’t have a divorce law. – This part of the interview somewhat clarifies the artist’s motives on making the controversial artwork. So Cruz supports same-sex marriage, is pro-RH bill and wants a divorce law passed. Though I’m not a big fan of RH bill (and if you’re not convinced with my line of reasoning, you can read this guy’s take on the subject) Cruz has every right to promote his beliefs. Hey, the greatest gift God gave us is freewill. But the problem is, by desecrating the sculptures of Christ and Mary, Cruz is barking at the wrong tree. Again, to the Catholics, these sculptures represent the image of God. And by messing with God’s image, to them, you’re disrespecting God Himself.  

So what did God ever do to you Mideo? God is not preventing the Senate from passing the RH Bill or a divorce law, nor is God holding a rally against same-sex marriage. Because of His gift of freewill, we can obey or disobey Him at our whim. If you want to pick a fight with the ones who are against your cause, go up to the Catholic priests. You want to put a dick on an archbishop’s face, be my guest. I bet you’ll have lesser enemies if that’s what you’ve done. Just look at Carlos Celdran. Not only did he have the balls to yell at the folks donning clerical clothing, he knew who to bark at, unlike you.

Ortuoste likens you to a modern day Jose Rizal. I beg to disagree. In an interview with FHM, Celdran pointed out that Rizal was anti-friar. Did Rizal, in his works, ever messed with Christ? I believe he didn’t. He too knew who to bash.

*We wouldn’t know that the sun is the center of the solar system if Copernicus was afraid to be tagged a heretic. – During Copernicus’ time, the Catholic Church was the law, and the Internet wasn’t around. It’s a different world now Mideo. The Church is not as powerful as it used to be. People, compared before, are more open-minded and liberated now. There could’ve been other ways of delivering your message. I’m not telling you how to do your job, it’s just that, at the end of the day, if you were planning to show it off in a country dominated by Catholics, you should’ve thought twice.

*the making of the sacred and how the people contribute to that. – And you are aware of the sacredness of these images and yet pushed through with the idea of violating them? That’s creepy, dude! Or, good marketing strategy.

*people who reacted violently haven’t seen the actual work nor tried to read the signifiers more. Or some saw it first on TV where it already directed them to where they will focus their mind upon seeing the images – While there is some truth in this, I can’t help but feel that this is another shot at the intelligence of the masses. Sure, we were directed by the TV networks to the penis, but how we feel about it is of our own volition, based on whatever standards we had in our heads. The reporters, outside of presenting your work for those unable to go to CCP, had little involvement in the bashing you’re receiving.

Besides, your work is more of a WYSIWYG, not a Picasso. For it to be misunderstood means you’re the problem, not the audience.

But if we persecute Cruz for what he has done, then we have to take down the CCP with him.

When Rep. Imelda Marcos, the very person who founded CCP, graced the exhibit, she too didn’t like what she saw. And her point is that Politeismo is being displayed in the Cultural Center of the Philippines despite that fact that it doesn’t even represent Philippine Culture.

Okay, let’s run over the things that Politeismo represents: RH Bill, same-sex marriage, divorce, and the guts to ridicule Christ. All of which, alien to Pinoy Culture. This is the Cultural Center of the Philippines, not of the USA or the European Union. Politeismo got away in UP probably because of how liberated and open-minded people there are, and in Ateneo, probably because it’s a private school, ergo, private property. But in CCP, it’s a different story.

That’s why somebody in CCP should answer to all this fiasco. The question is who.

In the wake of ‘Kulo’

Last August 9, CCP decided to close the gallery where the exhibit is being displayed.

Still, Atty. Jo Imbong of St. Thomas More Society Inc. is still filing charges over Politeismo.

Yesterday, Karen Flores, CCP Head for Visual Arts, resigned. Flores is about to hold a press conference today.

Dr. Raul Sunico, CCP President, said they will come up with guidelines on artworks that will be displayed in CCP.

Millado has expressed his disappointment in the fact that CCP has to give in to pressure coming from a certain sector.

Various senators are bandwagoning on the issue and are calling for the resignation of all the CCP officers.

And Vic Lima and Karen Davila had a heated argument yesterday while the mics were off. The argument forced DZMM to switch to their station I.D. for a moment.

Everyone has a right to freedom of expression. However, every right has a limitation. And those limitations often involve the right of others.

Religion is such a touchy subject. This is what people have been fighting for and dying for since time immemorial (think of Jesus getting stoned by the Jews, The Crusades and the 9/11 bombing). Cruz and CCP should’ve known better.

Let me just close my entry with a John Stuart Mill quote.

“The right to swing my fists ends where another man’s nose begins.”

I'd like to thank my bro, Rai Aliman, for making this entry possible with his valuable inputs. Thank you for visiting Lone Opinion.