Crucifix on its way to Kenya

Crucifix on its way to Kenya

Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot is going to crucify two of his pregnant teenagers on the World Social Forum in Nairobi, to focus on the Christian fundamentalists' crusade against contraception. The artist is allied with artists and actors from Uganda, Kenya and Denmark who will make invisible theatre among the 80,000 global roots gather in Kenya on 20 January.

"In the name of God" is the title of the art installation that will fan a global debate about religious influence on the world's contraception and sexual policy. The artist hopes, that through World Social Forum, the project will spread worldwide.

The art project has some worry in Nairobi, because of the many of the participant organizations is Christian or Muslim and might get offended by the happening.

On the other hand many Christian organizations just shrug off the grotesque claims of the catholic Pope and President Bush, that God bans contraception, and with that the notion of safe sex. Galschiot has for example set up his crucifix in front of the cathedral of Copenhagen with the dean and the parish council, where it will stay until the 31 January. Also the South African archbishop Desmond Tutu is supporting the use of contraception.

Galschiot is well prepared. "I have made two crucifixion sculptures where a piece of fabric is covering the genitals, to avoid a barren heated discussion about nakedness, and since new year I have had people in Kenya paving the way for the project, and I have printed more than over 30,000 posters illustrating, documenting, and explaining the project." says the artist. "We have established a co-operation with a theatre troupe from Uganda, directed by the Danish director Lena Bjorn from the Dacapo Theatre. They will perform interactive theatre in front of the sculpture to discuss contraception and sexual policy with the participants at the World Social Forum." Jens Galschiot continues: "On the big stadium, the site of most events, we carry along a movable version of the crucified sculpture and through invisible theatre we'll ignite debates among the many grassroots."

The art project is ending with a big workshop about the theme Art - powerful communication. At the meeting participants from Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Denmark and other countries, will exchange experience and debate the options to use art as a means of communication. The conference is arranged by Art In

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