|
This artmoney was made specifically for the BIAM exhibition entitled,
"FORBIDDEN ART: Finance of Expression" in Copenhagen, Denmark.
Denmark was the epicenter of the Mohammad cartoon jihad, where twelve cartoons of Mohammad were published in the newspaper, Jyllands Posten in September of 2005. These cartoons triggered mass demonstrations and riots around the world.
In this artwork, Muhammad is removed from the picture because under contemporary interpretations of shari'a, the image of Muhammad must not be depicted. With the infamous cartoons, the courageous Danes were trying to show that freedom of expression and freedom of the press are endangered and must be fought for. Unfortunately, the bloody riots that followed proved them right. Dozens of newspaper editors were arrested and had their lives threatened, newspapers were shut down, and embassies around the world were attacked, firebombed, and evacuated. The blood stains on this artmoney are there to remember the over 150 people killed in the riots over the cartoons.
|
