Interview: Mideo Cruz, Philippines Most Hated Artist
MANILA STANDARD TODAY
By Jenny Ortuoste
PHILIPPINES - Since when has an artwork created so much scandal and controversy since Mideo Cruz’s Politeismo, now on exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines? Mideo’s art brings deities and saints to the level of humans. And why not, one might say? That is the risk run when the object of worship is depicted as human. In this instance, the sacred + religious = sacrilegious, as its detractors claim. On the other hand, US-based Filipino art collector Victor Velasco points out works of art such as “Politesimo” is created to a great extent in other countries. He mentions the issues “…Andres Serrano, Piss Christ, American Family Association, National Endowment for the Arts, Senators Helms and D’Amato; also Corcoran Gallery of Art, Robert Mapplethorpe; also Dread Scott Tyler and “What is the Proper Way to Display An American Flag?” Velasco put me in touch with the controversial artist himself. Here’s our question-and-answer exchange, over Facebook, on the issue: (Read Interview).
By Jenny Ortuoste
PHILIPPINES - Since when has an artwork created so much scandal and controversy since Mideo Cruz’s Politeismo, now on exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines? Mideo’s art brings deities and saints to the level of humans. And why not, one might say? That is the risk run when the object of worship is depicted as human. In this instance, the sacred + religious = sacrilegious, as its detractors claim. On the other hand, US-based Filipino art collector Victor Velasco points out works of art such as “Politesimo” is created to a great extent in other countries. He mentions the issues “…Andres Serrano, Piss Christ, American Family Association, National Endowment for the Arts, Senators Helms and D’Amato; also Corcoran Gallery of Art, Robert Mapplethorpe; also Dread Scott Tyler and “What is the Proper Way to Display An American Flag?” Velasco put me in touch with the controversial artist himself. Here’s our question-and-answer exchange, over Facebook, on the issue: (Read Interview).