Controversy over Kaaba-like Sculpture
Gregor Schneider's creative labor of love for the 51st Venice Biennal, which opened its hallowed doors on Sunday, never saw the light of day in the beautiful lagoon city.
Authorities this week decided to censor the German artist's work after concerns that it could prove inflammatory for Muslims visiting the art festival.
Schneider's contribution involved a huge 15-meter-high metal cube covered by a black fabric, based on the proportions of the sacred Kaaba in Mecca - Islam's sacrosanct site of pilgrimage. The sculpture was initially meant to be installed in Venice's central St Mark's Square.
"Free of all mental associations"
Schneider, who won the Golden Lion for best artist at the 2001 Biennale, insisted that the object was "an independent body free of all mental associations."
He said the artwork, in his view, would have fit perfectly on St Mark's Square because that was where buildings influenced by the Arab world met with European styles.
The artist stressed that his project was not meant as a provocation, but rather as a way to illustrate the deep connection between both cultures. Schneider said his sculpture differed in measurements, functions and materials from the Kaaba in Mecca and was a cube - an elementary form in modern western art.
Concerns over religious sentiments
Biennale authorities weren't convinced. Alessandra Santerini, spokeswoman of the art festival said they'd banned the contribution for aesthetic and security reasons.
"They were worried that it would block the view of one part of the square, but they were also concerned that it could hurt the religious emotions of the Muslim community."
A spokesman of the Venetian arts authority said there was a danger that Muslims would feel provoked by the work, raising the risk of the city being vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
According to Santerini, Schneider and the biennale organizers did attempt to find an alternative site for the artwork in the lagoon city but in the end, decided not to allow the artist to display the sculpture.
© DEUTSCHE WELLE/DW-WORLD.DE 2005
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