The church of the diocesan museum of Carpi, in northern Italy, is holding an exhibition of perverted paintings, reports LaNuovaBq.it.
The scandal will be on display until 2 June and is called "Gratia Plena", a parody of the Hail Mary.
Responsible for this is the irresponsible Erio Castellucci, the Archbishop of Modena and Bishop of Carpi in personal union. After much criticism, the archbishop issued a press release defending (!) the exhibition. He invites the people to look at the paintings without prejudice and with a "clear gaze". A supplement to the exhibition catalog will be published with further explanations.
The painter is Andrea Saltini. He favors young male athletic bodies, but also sex, crime and darkness.
What's being exhibited?
One painting of the exhibition shows a naked male corpse lying on the ground with wounds on his hands and feet, supposedly a representation of 'Christ'. Next to his head is the abbreviation INRI. A dark-clad gentleman leans over him, grabbing his crotch and covering the naked man's genitals with his head.
According to the exhibition's curators, the painting does not depict homosexual necrophilia, but [Saint] Longinus, the soldier who "breaks the bones of Jesus" (sic).
Another painting shows a blond "Jesus" in a tight green jumpsuit being held by naked figures. In the bawdy imagination of the painter/curators, this is the "Ascension of Christ".
One painting shows a woman being undressed by men in diving suits. The museum explains that this is the "Virgin Mary" on whom "the Pharisees want to investigate the virginal conception" (sic). To underline the blasphemy, the painting is called "Gratia Plena" (Latin: Full of Grace).
Another painting shows a half-clothed woman and a ragged, miserable, naked man. They are entwined and look like drug addicts. The painting is called "Noli me tangere" (Don't touch me), after Christ's words to Mary Magdalene on the day of the resurrection. However, the exhibitors say that the painting does not show this scene, but the washing of the feet.
Picture: Andrea Zambrano, LaNuovaBq.it, #newsTpneazufsc