Mideo Cruz is the artist behind the controversial artworks being exhibited in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

His works have enraged bishops with their supposedly blasphemous content and have made ProLife Philippines take up a moral crusade, threatening to sue the CCP and the artist in an effort to censor Mideo Cruzs freedom of expression for perceived outrages against their faith. What follows is an email interview with the artist. The interview has been edited for grammar and clarity. Kenneth Keng: Kindly briefly introduce yourself for the benefit of our readership.Mideo Cruz: Im a visual artist who commonly tries to cross borders of discipline in producing my works. The most notable work Ive created in the past is the banquet for which I was awarded the Ateneo Art Awards in 2007. Ive frequently been invited outside the country for my creative works and was awarded the CCP 13 artists awards in 2003. Actually I feel uncomfortable with this question can I just attach my CV? Could you describe the piece in question?Mideo Cruz: A wall collage; I started doing it since 2002 from things that Ive collected since Im in high school. The manner was practically inspired by what we see in common houses where people put pictures of celebrities, politicians, etc on the wall of their houses.Relic (cross) originally titled relic of my nation, done in 2004. The making of the Filipinos after several layers of colonization. Partly inspired by how we got the name of the country in paradigm to the monarchal trend of collecting religious relics.Poon (chirst the king) deconstructing the sacredness and reconstructing the icon with parallel meanings. Coca cola and mickey mouse as epitome of neo liberalism.Most of the outcry has been about the phallic object placed on the works. Phalluses have been objects of devotion in many cultures; they use them as amulets, symbolic statues, etc. They might be a symbol of power and patriarchy. What would you say was the general intention of your piece, and how does it fit into your existing body of work?Mideo Cruz: Im exploring a lot about the nature of the deity. How people attributed the sacredness. How symbols evolve from various civilizations, how the worship evolves. But this particular piece is more regional and cultural attributing Off with his head! Or at least boycott his exhibit.

to our psyche as Filipinos. And also pertaining to our aesthetic perception. How do you feel about the current threat of lawsuit unless your work is taken down?Mideo Cruz: As far as I know the CCP is an independent institution. An arena where academic discourse is welcome. The conservative interference may be their means of showing their power over the so called morals very similar to what my motivation was in the work. Phallic symbols may stand for power. It contributes more to the readings of my work. CCP has already organized a public forum on Friday to discuss the matter, but it seems that the CBCP and Pro-life Philippines then responded with an ultimatum for its takedown by Thursday. Have the CBCP or Pro-Life Philippines responded to any of yours or CCPs invitations for dialogue?Mideo Cruz: I dont really know how it is going with the conversation of CBCP and CCP. And im wondering why they dont want to wait for the dialogue. From their latest pronouncement it sounds like they are also agitating the administration of UST to go against CCP and the artists involved. And finally, a follow up question that you dont have to answer if you dont want to. Are you aware of any other blasphemous works in the Philippines? If there are, why do you think they targeted your work?Mideo Cruz: A lot has been done before using the imagery of the catholic faith. In CCP Jose Legaspi did a Madonna and Child with Mary vomiting to the child Jesus, Paul Piper did a Sto. Nino out of a barbie doll and dressed it with comdoms. Alwin Reamillo did a Mckey Mouse Sto. Nino, Louie Cordero did a painting of Christ the King with a McDonalds figure With their criticism of the church, do you think El Filibusterismo and Noli Me Tangere are blasphemous?Mideo Cruz: Blasphemy is in the eye of the beholder. I dont even think of my work as blasphemy; instead, I think of them as a critque but if you will see it as blasphemy, I might as well consider that Rizals work is blaspmemy too.

various religious groups and influential leaders, and an ABS-CBN reporter has even come out with a column suggesting that he, Cruz, should be forced to drink muriatic acid.

Artist Mideo Cruz is now at the eye of one of the biggest controversies in the Philippine visual arts scene. His Cruz Poleteismo is part of the exhibit KUL, group latest work Poleteismo is being vilified left and right by exhibition at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP)

Main Gallery showing until August 21, 2011. It was launched on June 17 on the occasion of CCPs celebration of Jose Rizals 150th birthday. TV Patrols Mark Logan in his column in the tabloid Abante said many were incensed when they saw the TV Patrol report on Cruz and his exhibition. Logan suggested that those who were angered by how Cruz put together his installation art and murals depicting among many other concepts religious icons should kill Cruz.

released a statement saying that the security aides were unable to apprehend the vandals, but the CPP has already taken steps to avert further damage to the exhibits.

We request the arts and culture community to keep vigilant but let us maintain a dignified stance about this. We will not be equal to the rage and extremism of other entities. As you may recall, the CCP has always maintained that freedom of expression extends to all; not Dont you have pity for this person? Just because he put just to artists but to those who wish to speak up for their black tears on the face of Jesus Christ. Will you beat him religious and spiritual beliefs within proper means and up when you see him? Stab him, strangle him or push venues, it said. him into a creek? But before this, will you make him drink muriatic acid and then have him shot by a motorcycle- Among the messages the vandals scrawled across riding tandem? Its too much! Dont you have any respect various parts of Cruz work was Emedeo Cruz (I.N.C.) for someone like him whos an artist? Sumpain ka, Bakla and Bakla Parusahan Ka (Curse You, Homosexual, Homosexual you should be punished). Controversial artist Mideo Cruz says that he never goes out of his way to offend; But I do like to provoke debates and critical thinking. Art is a way of expressing ones views about the world, culture and history, and this is what I do in my work. The audience is free to make their own conclusions and interpretations about the images I create, but I must confess I didnt expect anyone to react so violently against Poleteismo.(Photos by Ina Alleco Silverio / bulatlat.com) CCP Visual Arts called for sobriety in the wake of angry pronouncements both in mainstream media and social networks in the internet against Cruz Poleteismo. Archbishop Oscar Cruz , former president of the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines, has called for a boycott of the exhibit.

The group Pro-Life Philippines, in the meantime, has threatened to file charges against the CCP and called the exhibition sacrilegious and blasphemous. Pro-Life Maybe as youre taking a walk you might get beat up by President Eric Manalang has been quoted on CBCP those you offended to the extreme. With todays News as saying that if the CCP does not stop the exhibit, technology, news travels fast! You see buddy, if you say and make amends, it will proceed with the charges. that you have rights, what about the rights of Catholics and other sects who believe that Jesus is God? Stopping it is not enough. The damage has been done, Manalang told CBCP News. He did not say what kind of Logan went on to seemingly address Cruz: If youre an damage had been wrought and against whom. atheist or if you believe in no god, dont violate the beliefs of others! This is a predominantly Catholic country, my CCP Visual Arts said these reactions and courses of boy action are all valid as moral and legal resorts of those who feel offended by art. The reporter went on to say that Cruz work was the sort And though art is representation and does not pretend to that only a pig would believe to be art. His parting shot be anything more than art, we would like to remind was to say that Cruz shouldnt ask the media for help anyone else who are considering violent and destructive because the media doesnt have the ability to protect him acts against art, artists and art institutions that such acts from being lynched. are clearly criminal. Let us all be proper, respectful and tolerant despite our different views. Not all of us are Cruz Facebook page in the last two weeks has also been Catholics, not all of us are artists, yet we are all deserving bombarded with insults and threats, with many accusing of honor and dignity, it said. him of, among other things, being a veritable henchman of Satan himself defiling Christ and His Holy Family. Critics against Poleteismo seem to be ignorant of the fact that it has been exhibited since 2002 in venues such Around 11:30 am on August 4, guards of the Cultural as the Loyola School of Theology in Ateneo de Manila Center of the Philippines (CPP) were surprised to University, UP Vargas Museum, Kulay Diwa in discover that Cruz work had been vandalized. A Paranaque City, and was also featured in the music video Facebook account under the name CPP Visual Artists of Anghel sa Lupa by Stonefree. Cruz has recreated the

piece every time it was presented for exhibition. As for the other culprit, the CCP explained that it accepted the exhibition proposal and the artworks based on the determination of the premise that these are legitimate art expressions by artists who have already established reputable track records through national and global awards, grants and expositions. To provoke critical thinking As for the potential lynch-mob victim, Cruz is somewhat bewildered and a little sad over the violent reactions. A self-effacing man who avoids direct questions about how he interprets his own art, Cruz said he never expected the negative reactions coming from various quarters.? I never go out of my way to offend; but I do like to provoke debates and critical thinking. Art is a way of expressing ones views about the world, culture and history, and this is what I do in my work. The audience is free to make their own conclusions and interpretations about the images I create, but I must confess I didnt expect for anyone to react so violently against Poleteismo. The worse that I wouldve expected is for no one to come to the CCP and see my work or those of the my colleagues in this exhibition, he said. There are those who might say that Cruz is being a bit too naive when he said how surprised he was by the outrage generated by his work. He put up pictures of Jesus Christ and Mother Mary alongside condoms; he got plastic piggy banks and put them inside a glass display case, the sort thats commonly found in churches; he hung crucifixes and rosaries next to wooden phalluses. Like reporter Logan said, the Philippines is a predominantly Catholic Country, so the reaction of some quarters could not have been such a shock. I wanted to provoke people into thinking. I titled my work Poleteismo which loosely translates into many beliefs or many deities. Throughout history, humanity has grown to create new gods and these are not always religious figures but concepts and objects. Some have taken to worshipping money; some see politicians as godsend. People create idols and these idols whether or not theyre deserving of idolatry or worship affect our lives and how we function and see the world, he said.

cigarettes; two Thai actors selling Coca-cola, and US President Barack Obama. In the meantime, on one free-standing wall hangs a lifesize crucifix festooned with scapulars and rosaries, as well as a red phallus. Cruz shrugs off the outrage over the phalluses. Its symbolic for patriarchy, a symbol of power. There are those who worship power, who put their faith in men who wield power even if the power is used against women, or against the whole of society. The fight for sexual and gender equality continues, doesnt it? But the balance continues to be tipped in favor of the phallus. Is this good or bad? You decide, he said. (For some, the phalluses could very well represent the leadership of the Catholic Church in the Philippines a group of grown men deciding on how women in the country do not have the right to control their own reproduction process, much less their sexuality. Currently the Catholic Church is hard at work campaigning against proposals for a reproductive health law. It has also come to a head against calls of the Lesbian, Gay ,Bisexual and Transsexual or LGBT community to allow same-sex marriages in the country writer) The former student of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) is not new to the art scene at all and is in fact well known not only in local art circles, but internationally as well, having opened exhibits in Switzerland, Italy and the United States. He was also recipient of the Ateneo Art Awards in 2007 and awarded the CCP 13 artists awards in 2003. The man is widely travelled, and has taken time to read up on the cultural history of religious iconography and the origins of religious symbolism. Everything around us can be considered as symbols, some are actually only symbols more than anything else. How we understand these symbols, how we use them is what gives them power and meaning, he said. Among activist circles, in the meantime, Cruz is known as a performance artist acting out pieces dealing with political issues like the interference of the United States on global affairs; human rights; and militarization. He is also a founding member of the artist group Ugat-Lahi. Ugat-Lahi is credited for the effigies presented and then burned during rallies led by the Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (BAYAN).

Poleteismo is actually three walls entirely covered with various images and papers calendars, bus tickets, old school certificates, photographs, political posters, postcards, advertisements and other printed materials. Jesus, Mary and Joseph are not the only images featured, but Robert Jaworski endorsing Dr. J. rubbing Far from accusations that Cruz is only trying to generate alcohol; Alma Concepcion smiling over Champion controversy to be noticed, Cruz sheepishly admits that Poleteismo is actually the product of house cleaning.

Apparently, the man is a pack-rat and for the last two Freedom of Expression decades he has been collecting various scraps of paper and whatnot with the general intention of some day The artist community has thrown its support behind Cruz putting them to use. and the CPP, saying that Poleteismo protected by the provision of freedom of expression of the 1987 We were cleaning the house and we discovered all this, Constitution. he said, pointing to the walls with their thousands of colorful, conflicting images like those from a series of The Artists and cultural workers from the Concerned MTV videos from various genres looped together. He and Artists of the Philippines (CAP) in a statement said that partner, artist and singer Raquel de Loyala usually spend they support the CCP, specially its Visual Arts unit two to three days pasting and putting together the headed by Karen Flores, and the organizers of KULO for massive collage that has sent religious groups seething. upholding freedom of expression. Close Your Eyes and Think Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, National Artist for Literature and Cruz frequently tries to shy away from questions that current Chairperson of CAP said that Article 3 section 4 seek his own opinion on his work, but when pressed, he of the countrys constitution states that no law shall be answers even if reluctantly. passed abridging the freedom of speech, of expression, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to This is how I see the Filipino way of life colorful, assemble and petition the government for redress of varied, full of conflicting beliefs and values. Cant you just grievances. see these same images pasted on the walls of houses in the urban poor communities? And Filipino society, its The bishops and the lay leaders who are pressuring the racked with economic and political turmoil, and then CCP to close the show are within their right to speak theres religion which frequently involves itself in the against KULO, and they are free to admonish the entire conglomeration of issues and developments, he Catholic faithful regarding what they find objectionable in said. Mideos artwork. We believe, however, that this demand Sure enough, if one does as Cruz advises close your to suppress the show smacks of the religious fascism of eyes after seeing the images, breathe and think the the friars of Rizals time and certainly unacceptable in the walls begin to speak about the Filipino condition. 21st century, he said. Theres the carton poster on the alphabet with A Lumbera went on to say that CAP welcomes the CCPs standing for Apple when apples are not grown in the call for a dialogue on the exhibit, believing that criticism of Philippines and J is for Jeep and not for jeepney. artists work is part of the artistic process and contributes to the growth of the artist. Theres the calendar where former First Lady Imelda Marcos smiles beatifically at her beholder. We caution critics, however, not to resort to intimidation and defamation that threaten the artists freedom of Then there are the liquor bottles that used to contain expression, said CAP Secretary-General Prof. Neil expensive alcohol that could very well symbolize the Doloricon of the University of the Philippines College of corruption of the country because of the profligacy of its Fine Arts. so-called leaders in government. We call on artists and cultural workers from the different I dont like telling people what I mean when I paint fields of art and humanities to stand steadfast against the something or what I want to say when I include an image curtailment of the Constitutional guarantee of free artistic in an installation. I would much rather that people talk expression that founding CAP Chairperson Lino Brocka about the work and think about theyve seen, Cruz said. persuaded the Convention to insert in the 1987 Constitution. When he advocated support for works that If only people would first think instead of being will hurtthat will not make you restFor the times are judgmental. In defense of religion and religious beliefs, really bad, and given times like this, it is a crime to rest. some quarters have already taken to maliciously attributing Cruz controversial work to a twisted sexuality.