The Shadow (performance art)

The Shadow
ArtistAbel Azcona
Year2014
MediumPerformance Art Installation art
LocationLeón, Soria, Tarragona, Castellón

The Shadow is a conceptual and performative work of critical, social and political content by artist Abel Azcona. In The Shadow, Azcona denounced cases of child abuse in a piece in which the survivors are the protagonists. In the work, Azcona presented more than two hundred actual cases of pedophilia in museums and galleries in various cities in Spain.[1] At each show, Azcona gave a live performance from a wooden swing of the experiences of the survivors.[2]

Controversy

Azcona's work denounces child abuse and has been persecuted and denounced for being critical of the Christian Church in works such as The Shadow or Amen or The Pederasty.[3] This last one was sued three times before the Superior Court of Justice of Navarra for three crimes and alleged desecration and blasphemy. The first one by the Archbishopric of Pamplona and Tudela, who are representatives of the Catholic Church in the north of Spain.[4][5] The second one, by the Delegation of the Government in Navarra, controlled by the Popular Party at the time, and the third one by The Asociación Española de Abogados Cristianos (Spanish Association of Christian Lawyers), who also made criminal complaints against Azcona.[6] The lawsuits were won by Azcona,[7][8] however the group took the complaint to the Supreme Court.

See also

References

  1. ^ "They again investigate Abel Azcona for drawing with hosts the word 'pederasty'". El Diario. No. December 21, 2018. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  2. ^ Talegón, Beatriz (November 25, 2019). "Abel Azcona: "Call me" son of a bitch "I think it's beautiful". Diario 16. Retrieved January 14, 2020.
  3. ^ Europa, Press (November 24, 2015). "The Archbishopric of Pamplona-Tudela mobilizes against the exhibition of Abel Azcona". Europa Press. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  4. ^ Dani Domínguez (June 26, 2018). "Abel Azcona: "I prefer artists in prisons than silent artists in their studio"". La Marea. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  5. ^ Peio H. Riaño (April 9, 2017). "Abel Azcona: "Tattooing Donald Trump in the anus doesn't transform anything"". El Español. Retrieved September 22, 2018.
  6. ^ M.B. (December 21, 2018). "Abel Azcona charged again for using consecrated hosts for a performance". El Español.
  7. ^ "La Audiencia de Navarra confirma el archivo de la causa contra la exposición blasfema de Abel Azcona". ABC. May 5, 2017. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
  8. ^ EFE (May 7, 2017). "Archivado el caso contra el artista Abel Azcona por utilizar hostias en una obra". Público. Retrieved December 24, 2019.