Milwaukee museum to show Pope Benedict portrait made from condoms

upi ^ | July 1, 2015 | Ben Hooper

[JoeProBono]

MILWAUKEE, - A Wisconsin art museum is defending the decision to display a controversial portrait of the previous pope composed entirely of condoms.

The Milwaukee Art Museum announced "Eggs Benedict," Niki Johnson's condom likeness of Pope Benedict XVI, will go on display starting in November.

Milwaukee Archbishop Jerome Listecki criticized the museum in a blog post:

"Would the art museum accept works that depicted various political leaders of our state in cow dung (a significant animal for Wisconsin)? Would they accept art -- pick your favorite religious or historical figures -- featuring them in various pornographic poses (which has happened in some international publications)? What about art featuring national or international popular social reconstructionists in a manner that would depict the opposite of what they represented, such as Gandhi sporting an uzi, Lincoln in Klu Klux Klan garb or Hitler with a yarmulke reading the Torah, all in the name of art and beauty? Whose art and whose beauty? I would offer that even if the art museum considered accepting any of the above examples, there would be an extensive public discussion that would take place before any decision would be made."

Johnson, who finished the piece in 2013, said "Eggs Benedict" was inspired by the then-pope's comments about the potential for contraception to increase the spread of human immunodeficiency virus in Africa. She described the artwork to WITI-TV as "an act of protest."

"'Eggs Benedict', the piece, investigates the role of world leaders and public health," Johnson said.

Brady Roberts, chief curator at the Milwaukee Art Museum, said not everyone has to agree with the painting's message.

"This is a controversial work. This is an artist that has a point of view and not everyone is going to embrace that point of view," Roberts said. "The artists have been very clear this is not an attack on the Catholic Church or Catholics. This is about AIDS."

Roberts said the museum is not concerned about controversy.

"This is our role -- to stimulate dialogue," Roberts said.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Now they are just itching to display a portrait of Mohammed made of condoms.

[Tennessee Nana]

wheres the one of Mohammad ???

[DoodleDawg]

But it’s OK because the artist assures us it’s not meant to be offensive. </sarcasm>

[WayneS]

Heading over to ebay to see if all the Confederate flags are banned.

They are.

But I'm sure you can purchase a really nice ISIS or Hamas flag; and there's plenty of Nazi regalia for sell; and a whole lot of Joseph Stalin and Che Guevara merchandise available; and...

[alstewartfan]

You wonder why so many people regard homosexuals as creepy?

[GraceG]

So when do we start beheading the non believers?

Oh wait, I forgot that Christians don’t do that...

[Bringbackthedraft]

So when do we start beheading the non believers?

Oh wait, I forgot that Christians don’t do that........................... Cheer up, there is always the rope, burning at the stake, the rack, and horse drawn.

[Ancient Man]

When will someone do a rendition of Obama and Moodhelle with dildos and butt plugs?

[MinuteGal]

If the museum honchos charge a special admission charge for the special exhibit, which they undoubtedly will do, think of the money to be raked in from the sickos, the curious, the Christian-haters, the liberals/commies/Democrats, the easily sexually-tittilated, scores of well-to-do Milwaukee League of Women Voters members, scads of bored housewives.....plus hordes of tabloid-loving, sensation-seeking cheese-heads.

Always follow the money trail....the low-lifes and brain-dead dummies flocking to see this exhibit will pay enough en masse to fund a goodly part of this amoral museum's budget for the coming year.

Leni

[rickmichaels]

[JimRed]

How about one each of Mohammad, Obama and Hillary?

[Steve_Seattle]

"It’s actually not a bad portrait. Wish you hadn’t told me what it was made of."

It's a competent portrait, about what you would expect from a college art major. But - contrary to the claims of the museum director - it is NOT great art or even particularly good art.

And the ONLY reason it was done with condoms was to be offensive and controversial and to get attention. It's highly unlikely the museum would be displaying this piece if it were NOT made of condoms.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Maybe they can make one of Obama.Constructed of all used condoms from San Francisco."

If someone did a portrait of Obama made of deliberately offensive materials - take your pick - there is no way this museum would put it on display.

[Steve_Seattle]

"How about one each of Mohammad, Obama and Hillary?"

Won't happen. Remember the rodeo clown who was fired for wearing an Obama mask? And any disrespectful portrayal of Hillary would be denounced as "sexist" or "anti-woman." As for Mohammed, it's a combination of cowardice and political correctness that would prevent that.

[NowApproachingMidnight]

Perfect timing on this. I go to MAM every year, and this year I was planning on going in the coming few days. Will gladly skip it.

[Secret Agent Man]

Takes real guts to hang art offensive to Christians.

It’s been done to death. Cliche to the hilt. Real original.

I’d do a photo pictorial of all the old 50 year old muslim guys sitting next to their 8 and 9 year-old scared wide-eyed “wives” under the title Life Imitates Mohammed.

[Lopeover]

So it is okay to provoke Catholics & Christians but
not Moslems? Sorry, I want to see more Mohammad
cartoon contests!!!!

[West Texas Chuck]

Wait just a cotton pickin’ minute. That is the other Pope, the daid one. They should have made that of Francis.

[Mrs. Don-o]

[The Dog Days Are Over]

The Dog Days Are Over