The principle is always and everywhere the same: in Muslim countries, one should conform one’s behavior to Muslim sensibilities. In non-Muslim countries, one should conform one’s behavior to Muslim sensibilities.
“Michelangelo’s David statue’s private parts are covered up at the Dubai Expo to avoid offending Muslims,” by David Averre, MailOnline, October 4, 2021:
A giant 3D printed replica of Michelangelo’s famous David statue on show at the Dubai Expo has sparked controversy after organisers chose to cover up the statue’s manhood to avoid offending conservative Muslims.
The 17-foot-tall replica of arguably the world’s most recognisable nude was contributed to the expo by Italy to be displayed at the event’s Italian pavilion, but after much deliberation event organisers chose to position the statue in a column and cover its private areas with a stone slab.
The Dubai Expo 2020 – originally set to take place last year but postponed due to the pandemic – aims to showcase examples of innovation and culture from countries around the world, while UAE authorities hope it will attract more investment and tourism to the region.
But public nudity is not permitted in the United Arab Emirates, and the first unveiling of the statue to Emirati VIPs caused ‘enormous embarrassment,’ according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.
Italian artists and art critics have railed against the decision to shroud to shroud much of David’s replica with stone obstacles.
The original statue of David was sculpted by Michelangelo in 1504, and was initially installed in the Piazza della Signoria in Florence before being moved to the Florence Academy of Fine Arts in 1873.
It is among some of the most recognisable artworks in the world, and to this day is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Italy.
The version of David that stands in the Dubai Expo is an exact, 17-foot replica of the original thanks to laser scans and 3D printing technology. The resin replica was brushed with marble dust to represent the aesthetic of the original sculpture.
But while the original David stands proudly on display for all to see, David in Dubai has been placed in a cylindrical chamber made of glass and stone columns which prevents audiences from viewing much of the replica….
Italian art critic Vittorio Sgarbi labelled the event organisers’ cover-up of David as ‘grotesque and ridiculous’, and went on to declare to Adnkronos news agency that ‘cancelling a part of Michelangelo’s David is just bowing to [Emirati] religion and culture’.
Meanwhile, Davide Rampello, the director responsible for the displays at the Italian pavilion at the Dubai Expo, defended the decision as a ‘unique approach’ and denied it was a question of government censorship.
‘It is a different perspective, which is new, introspective and moving,’ said Rampello, whose decision to place David in a cylindrical chamber means that audiences entering the viewing platform will be met with David’s marble-brushed gaze.
Rampello also insisted that visitors who enter from the ground floor level will still be able to see the statue in its entirety, but event organisers said the lower level will only be accessible to VIPs.
Another Italian who worked on the project told La Repubblica: ‘We even thought of putting undergarments on the statue, or changing it all together, but it was too late.
‘We understood too late that it was an error to bring a statue of a nude man to the Emirates.’…
revereridesagarin says
This from a Great World Religion which rewards “martyrs” with an eternal “heavenly” bordello!
Keys says
Are they going to soon display the Mona Lisa in a hijab ?
Would hate to have them see her hair ! And what about her smile ?
Check Burry says
Couldnt they find some Speedos?
WCM says
“Rim Shot!”
🙂
PMK says
The Dubai expo is supposed to showcase innovation and culture from countries around the world? Obviously not. Maybe it should be only OIC countries in the future. Have all the tourism you want.
As for Italy, maybe they should have sent another Michelangelo creation: the Pieta. It’s a beautiful piece of art and Jesus has his loin cloth on.
Rob R (Brit stuck in Britainistan) says
Maybe it’s way bigger than most of them have got. LOL
That would make sense with their complete oppression of women.
Infidel says
I recall reading that Deputy King MbS some months ago bought a Mona Lisa painting for a record amount. Will any muslim even dare ask him to cover up any part of it? Somehow, these Gulf Sheikhs have a better handle on the ummah than those European know-it-alls
Anne Smith says
Complete waste of time sending them any great art or music.
They are trained from birth not to understand any advanced culture.
Best to let them stew in their own 7th century ways.
Rarely says
Every society has its own censorship laws and mores. These are more or less liberal and are usually “guided” by the prevalent religious bent. Isn’t “To Kill a Mockingbird” still banned in some States? Anyone remember the “Scopes Monkey Trial”?
These rules seem to evolve (“liberalize”) in advancing societies. But it’s really no big deal if a country bans nudity in art. Its their loss.
OLD GUY says
Funny how I and many others around the world are offended by Islam but that doesn’t seem to count. But if a muslim/islamic person is offended by anything, it has to be removed like now. I guess that islam is a special protected class of people. Here comes the overlords.
Kolga says
This makes my blood boil.
Censoring Western culture as not to offend theirs.
Tolerance and Apathy are the last virtues of a dying society.
Aristotle.
Prince Eugene says
Sgarbi: ‘cancelling a part of Michelangelo’s David is just bowing to [Emirati] religion and culture’
David has been publically displayed in a Christian country for over five hundred years. But art critic Vittorio Sgarbi did not specify “Emirati” in his comments. When the secular and indiscriminate modern liberal is given the chance to smear religion by avoiding mention of the germane censorious nature of Islam and hang Christianity by inference he takes it.