A sculpture of a crucified frog holding a mug of beer on display at a Bolzano museum has sparked outrage in Italy. ANSA reports that local clerics and politicians want the work removed.
The one metre high work by late German artist Martin Kippenberger belongs to his Fred the Frog series and depicts a warty, pop-eyed amphibian nailed to a cross with a frothing mug of beer in one hand.
Curators at Bolzano museum of modern art Museion said that Kippenberger's work was a self portrait of the artist ''in a state of profound crisis'', but their explanation has been given short shrift by local bishop Wilhelm Egger.
''The crucified frog has shocked many visitors to the Museion and has hurt their religious feelings,'' Egger said.
''Even if this was not the intention of the artist or the Museion, there is a law in place that says religious feelings should be respected.
''Today the symbols of Christian faith are often held in contempt, and an exhibition of works like this one does not help to create peace between cultures and religions,'' he added.
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