Homeless Jesus – Tim Schmalz’s "Frozen Sermon"
A new Homeless Jesus sculpture,presented to the people of Dublin by an anonymous North American benefactor,has been unveiled by the sculptor in the grounds of Christ Church Cathedral in Dublin. Some people love the Banksy feel of it,but others consider it an insult to the figure of Jesus.
The bronze sculpture depicts a park bench with a faceless cloaked figure lying on it. Passers–by realise that the sculpture depicts Jesus only when they notice the holes in the feet. The piece is located in front of the cathedral in full view of the public. and leaves enough room on the bench for someone else to sit down.It’s a representation that suggests Christ is with the most marginalized in today’s societies.
The first statue was inspired by a sideways glance at a homeless person on a bench in Toronto.The sculptor said that he wanted to get the message out, especially to churches that might want to put this visual prayer outside their church to remind people that human life is sacred.
Casts of the Homeless Jesus sculpture have been installed in cities in N.America,Canada and Europe. Following a competition among prospective Dublin sites,Christ Church Cathedral was chosen to be the location by Tim Schmalz.
At some places in US & Canada people leave gifts for the homeless around the sculpture that are picked up by the homeless or, at the end of the day, collected and given to the shelters.
Church of Ireland Archibishop of Dublin Dr Michael Jackson said that throughout the world of today human beings are subjected to indignity, homelessness, trafficking and death. Every day for them is a Good Friday. They wait for the day of resurrection in hope,in fear, in trust and in betrayal,in darkness and in light.Homeless people draw us into their world,and rightly; we dare not abandon them here or abroad.
The Homeless Jesus is a reminder to the entire community of this city,Catholics and Protestants,people of Faith and people of None.There are people who cannot find a suitable roof over their head and families without a place where they can live with dignity, then none of us can roll over in our comfortable beds with an easy conscience …
PS: Homeless Jesus’ sculpture was banned from central London according to Westminster Council decision.They said it would fail to maintain or improve the character or appearance of the Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square conservation area … Think about the irony of Jesus the Homeless being Homeless himself , in London …
Art Works play an important role in bringing social issues to public attention … Homelessness while awaiting Christmas …
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N.B. Art speaks to us Independent of any Relegion,Dogmas & Beliefs …
Posted by dodagp on 2016-12-04 21:37:07
Tagged: , UK , Ireland , Dublin , Church of Ireland , sculptures , works of art , Homeless Jesus , Frozen Sermon , homeless , life is sacred , the role of art works in society , days of love , solidarity , empathy , compassion , Homelessness , while awaiting Christmas … , Tim Schmalz , artists , public art
