Easter commotion
Helnwein art banned from St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Vienna
It was the provocative art sensation at the beginning of the year: world star Gottfried Helnwein with his replica of the Shroud of Turin. The chancel of St. Stephen's Cathedral was covered with Jesus Christ upside down. Now the bombshell: the two other planned Helnwein installations will not be shown during Easter week. The "Krone" knows the background.
The large triptych by Helnwein with the three depictions had the central Christian statements of faith as its theme. The artist, who according to his own statement was strongly influenced by Catholicism, made his works available "for God's reward". The production costs for the three works are covered by the cathedral parish with the help of sponsors.
"Not a cent of church contribution"
Toni Faber emphasized at the presentation in February that "not a single cent of the church's contribution" went into the project. Helnwein is considered a "shock painter" because of his realistic, gloomy depictions of injured children.
The fact that he is now continuing the installations for the Easter penitential season and the Easter feast in St. Stephen's Cathedral is "a project that has been growing in my heart for a long time", says Faber.
Pictures should have been exchanged
The current art installation, in liturgical purple, can be seen in the cathedral until Holy Saturday. With the Easter Vigil, the second triptych picture in white should have made the mystery of Christ's resurrection recognizable.
Finally, shortly before Pentecost, a third triptych would have shown the sending of the Spirit through the reddish flames of the Holy Spirit on the many people depicted until the Long Night of the Churches. The current pictures show the Christ of the Shroud of Turin, albeit upside down, as well as two skulls on the side altars.
Two further works of art remain under lock and key
Now the bombshell: the cathedral chapter decided on Thursday not to hang the two other art installations by the world star during Holy Week.
As insiders confirm to the "Krone", it is not a question of curbing the art or even reprimanding someone (probably referring to cathedral priest Toni Faber). Rather, the "Steffl" is above all else "a place of prayer and should not polarize, especially at Easter".
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