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Italian Museum Under Pressure For Display of Kipppenberger's Crucified Frog

By Howard M. Friedman

In Italy, according to ANSA yesterday, politicians as well as clerics are calling for Museion, a modern art museum in Bolzano, to remove its display of a sculpture by late German artist Martin Kippenberger. The statue, part of Kippenberger's "Fred the Frog" series, is a pop-eyed frog crucified on a cross holding a mug of beer. Bolzano Province President Luis Durnwalder called the statue ''an offense'' said it should be removed from display while further discussion over what to do with it takes place. He said that the area population, which is overwhelmingly Catholic, may find the piece to be a ''provocation.'' Local bishop Wilhelm Egger says the display has hurt the religious feelings of museum visitors. Cath News carries a photo of the offending sculpture.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on May 27, 2008 (boomark / email).