Sex in church: Antwerp gallery shows controversial art in former chapel
By: Peter
Category: Adult, Antwerp, Art, Belgium, Controversy, Cultural, Fun, Heritage, Livestyle, Photography, Tourism, entertainment, morals, sex
It had all the hallmarks of a controversy waiting to be ignited: blend one controversial artist, countless sculptures in fiberglass and put them together in the chapel of a former medieval hospital. But then again, this is Antwerp, Belgium: you need more than a fiberglass breast to shock us. The only shocked visitors were those expecting the classic interior of a chapel 
Which makes me wonder: should old churches be used for controversial art with a visual sexual connotation?
No opinion on this … but love the Black Panther art gallery.
We had the ‘virgin in the condom’ controversy in New Zealand back in the late 90s.
The ‘artwork’ … a small statue of the madonna with a condom pulled over her.
You can imagine, the religious folk went insane, it took up hours of tv and radio …
You know Di, it’s also one of my favourite galleries: due to it’s historic roots (the old chapel, the quaint medieval basement) and obviously its ever intriguing rotating collections.
Guess nobody in Antwerp has problems with erotic art: a few yards/m along the street (towards the South) there’s a sweetshop that sells erotic candy, like huge breasts in tasty chocolate. (Male body parts also available).
I partly posted this item to check the audience. Bingo: “x ISP, Teheran”, “x law firm, US”: mostly bored employees at work or curious visitors from countries where “sex in church” would cause outrage.
Wish I got a comment from a devoted nun, but then, they never comment, do they
I hate to see old churches become commercial enterprises of any kind–even restaurants or artsy gift shops.
An interesting bit: there are religious rituals associated with selling a church building. If I’m not mistaken, in the Episcopal church, a bishop or priest must “deconsecrate” the building site. It’s an interesting concept. I always have a vision of a Ghostbuster’s type moment with a priest “sucking” all the holiness out of a building…
Hey V-grrrl, thanks for dropping by all the way from Virginia! This Antwerp gallery is located in what used to the former chapel of a 500 yo medieval hospital – my caption was slightly misleading.
I’m going to check your blog right now to say how your trans-atlantic adventure is developing.
Peter,
you didn’t think I’d leave you behind in Antwerp did you? I had to pay $350 to get my laptop fixed so I could catch a wireless connection and I never thought about not doing it…
Whoops, that was an expensive repair job – but glad you did, it’s a pleasure reading how your trip with your family is developing.