Appeal for
co-operation about
In the Name of God – a sculptural outcry about the right to
contraception
In the Name of God is a sculptural comment to
Christian fundamentalists’ impact on the anti-conception debate in the world.
The aim is to highlight, by means of an art manifestation and exhibitions, the
global debate on the right to contraception.
We need helpers and co-operators all over the world who agree on
everybody’s right to information about contraception and resent the bible
Fundamentalists’ lobbying to restrict the humanity’s choice about sexuality.
The project takes no stand on questions such as abortion, stem cell research
and the like.
The
project radiates
from Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot’s workshop – renowned for comprehensive
global art manifestations highlighting societal issues, see
http://www.aidoh.dk
The sculpture to be used as an accelerator and a focal point
of the debate is a beautiful ‘crucifix’ with a pregnant teenager cast in
copper. A number of duplicates will be cast to enable the manifestation to be
launched more or less simultaneously on various places. The 12 year old
pregnant teenage girl is of natural size, about 1.5 m, the cross has various
heights, from 2 to 5 m.
Lithographic print: To prop up the art manifestation, a
big number of posters will be issued – with a colour photo of the sculpture on
the front page, and on the rear side there will be a text explaining the
campaign and the consequences of the fundamentalist sexual policy.
We envisage the following sites for exhibition of the sculpture:
·
An
outstanding church in Copenhagen, Denmark: On 1. December 2006, international
AIDS day, the sculpture will be set up in front of one of the most important
churches in Denmark (Lutheran faith). We co-operate with the dean and the
parish council that want to stress that ‘their God’ should not be
instrumentalized for the ban on contraception.
·
Nairobi,
Kenya: We will bring the sculpture to the World Social Forum starting on 20
January 2007 to launch the manifestation on the African continent. We’ll
co-operate with theatre troupes from Uganda and Kenya who will display
performances to fan a debate about the AIDS issue that is tragically hot in
Africa.
·
Rome,
Italy: We envisage to put up the sculpture for a period of time in front of the
Vatican to point out that the Pope and the Catholic church are among the prime
movers of the crusades against contraception. Subsequently it will be exhibited
in Rome or some other place in Italy.
·
Texas,
USA: We will exhibit the sculpture, preferably in a church context, to
highlight the essential role of President Bush in hampering contraception
policy. Afterwards the sculpture will make a tour around the USA.
These are
our considerations so far. Plenty of other ideas will undoubtedly arise
inspired by our co-operators. The possibilities are countless.
Economy: We are a private art workshop,
completely independent of religious and political circles. The funding of our
art manifestations is mainly provided by through sale of Galschiot’s sculptures
to art collectors, so we have limited economical means. We are able to provide
some organisation and make the sculptures, the poster, the flyers and the
websites, and maybe a contribution to transportation. So we need co-operators
with their own organisational framework and network that can be staked in this
art manifestation to highlight issues of essential common interest – to them
and to us.
Support: We envisage that liberal church
congregations, women’s associations, AIDS prevention organisations, art
collectives, theatre troupes, planned parenthood associations, political
movements, art galleries and museums and many others who could be interested in
joining this visual sculptural outcry.
If you are somewhat ensnared of the project, you might consider your possibilities of contributing to our initiative:
·
Arranging
a tour in your country or just around your neighbourhood displaying the
sculpture to fan a debate.
·
Translating
various texts, posters, flyers, and perhaps also this appeal for co-operation,
into your language.
·
Contacting
persons or associations who might be interested in exhibiting the sculpture.
·
Highlighting
our initiative in your neighbourhood and fanning a local debate.
·
Providing
practical help for the local or global organisation of the happening.
·
By
various means supporting this initiative to make it a global success, as a
poignant art manifestation against the bible fundamentalists’ crusade against
contraception and against the right to a sexual life without the intervention
of a grumbling misanthropic God.
You’ll find
the concept and photos of the creation of the sculpture at
http://www.aidoh.dk/InTheNameOfGod
Best regards
Jens
Galschiot
and his severely tried staff
Contact:
DK-5270 Odense N
Tel.: (+45) 6618 4058
Fax: (+45) 6618 4158
E-mail: aidoh@aidoh.dk
Internet:
www.aidoh.dk