Wednesday, December 08, 2010

Vatican postpones participation in contemporary art exhibit

The Pontifical Council for Culture has backed away from plans to participate in a high-profile exhibit of contemporary art, citing administrative problems. 

The Vatican body had been expected to enter the 2011 Venice Biennale, one of Europe’s most celebrated events featuring modern art. 

But the Pontifical Council for Culture, which would have handled the Vatican entry, has now withdrawn from next year’s exhibit.

Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi, the president of the Pontifical Council, had acknowledged that a Vatican entry would provoke controversy. 

“I already know that we'll come under fire,” he had told the Italian daily Avvenire when the Vatican entry was still expeced. 

“Some will accuse us of giving credit to 'depraved' art and others will criticize our selection as being too 'religious.'"

SIC: CC/INT'L