Art Exhibit Displays Demeaning Image Called “Piss Christ“

Country: France

Date of incident: April 20, 2011


Piss Christ is a photograph by Andres Serrano which shows a crucifix submerged in yellow liquid. Serrano, an American artist, has declared that the amber liquid is his own urine. Piss Christ has been displayed since the beginning of April at the art gallery “Collection Lambert” in Avignon.

The exhibit is supported by the LVMH Group (Dior, Guerlain, Moët, Hennessy). Since April 7th, the French media has been reporting the turmoil caused by the exhibit in the city community. The local authorities dismissed the complaints on the ground that the gallery is privately run. However, “Collection Lambert” is partially funded by Avignon taxpayers money. The picture, dated from 1987, has caused scandal already in the U.S.A. and Australia.  

French Court ruled against Christian Association requesting the removal of 'Piss Christ': On April 20, 2011, AGRIF, the Alliance against racism and for the respect of French and Christian identity, loses a legal action against the art gallery 'Collection Lambert' in Avignon which organized the  exhibit of 'Piss Christ'. AGRIF based its claim on the grounds that the picture is an "act of racism that targets Christians in the very heart of their faith.", and requested the removal of the picture from the exhibition’s website and from public sites where posters were displayed. The Avignon Court understood that AGRIF lawsuit constituted a “malicious prosecution”, and awarded damages amounted €8,000 to the Collection Lambert. Bernad Antony, president of the AGRIF, has indicated that the Alliance will appeal the Avignon decision. Sources: http://www.lifesitenews.com/news/french-catholic-group-loses-case-against-blasphemous-art-work?utm_source=LifeSiteNews.com+Daily+Newsletter&utm_campaign=62f27dd991-LifeSiteNews_com_Intl_Headlines04_27_2011&utm_medium=email
http://bernard-antony.blogspot.com/2011/04/le-christ-bafoue-les-chretiens-insultes.html
http://galliawatch.blogspot.com/2011/04/piss-christ-in-avignon.html
http://www.lepost.fr/article/2011/04/20/2472715_piss-christ-leur-justice-deboute-et-condamne-l-agrif.html
http://next.liberation.fr/arts/01012332937-affaire-piss-christ-une-association-integriste-desavouee

Campaign website: http://www.defendonslecrucifix.org/  Further information: 
http://www.lepost.fr/article/2011/04/07/2459129_en-avignon-piss-christ-d-andres-serrano-cible-des-cagots.html
http://provence-alpes.france3.fr/info/avignon--la-photo-piss-christ-cree-la-polemique-68284008.html
http://next.liberation.fr/culture/01012330269-les-pisse-vinaigre-contre-piss-christ
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piss_Christ Journalist Eric Zemmour defends Christian action: http://www.intoleranceagainstchristians.eu/quotation/french-journalist-defends-christians-in-the-piss-christ-scandal.html