A Living Faith

Poleteismo by Mideo Cruz

I came across this article on yahoo about a Filipino artist named Mideo Cruz and his “controversial” and what they say “blasphemous” artworks he entitled Poleteismo which was part of Kulo, a group exhibit organized by UST’s alumni artists held at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines). Poleteismo is an installation of art and murals depicting idolatry, history, religion and culture. When I saw the pictures, I was perplexed and disturbed at first. I was thinking why he had done something like that. I’ve seen a lot of “weird” artworks but then for me this is something different. Different in such a way that he showcased it in a place where he knows that majority of people would react to it violently. True enough, the artist was stormed with negative comments, insults, curses and even death threats. I thought he must be really brave and confident to what he believes in that he wouldn’t care if someone will shoot him while walking down the street because of his “expression”. When he was interviewed, he said that he always wanted to create thought-provoking artworks but never goes out of his way to offend. He believes that art is an expression of one’s view about the world. 

Some of his pieces that depict idolatry, patriarchal society, 

pop culture, politics and the emergence of Catholic faith in the

Philippines.

I remember when I was young, my mom actually did somewhat similar to that. She did not make an artwork of course but she did gather all our religious figures and posters in our house and burned it. This was when we (except for my father) shifted to Born Again Christian. When my father knew about it, he got really mad and our “home” was bombarded with their verbal fights and religious debates. I heard various explanations and arguments about the Catholic’s use of icons and the issue of idolatry. To my curiosity, I asked my professor in religious education (who’s a Catholic) about it way back in college. He merely explained it by an example of a couple ring. He said, “When you are in a relationship, you would want something that will signify your love for each other. You buy a ring as a symbol of your commitment. You give importance to it because it has meaning to you. It symbolizes your love and commitment to the person you value and care much. Maybe there are times that you kiss that ring or talk to it especially when you miss the person. Some might think you’re crazy but that is just your expression of love”. I don’t really know if that rationalization sufficed me but as I look into a deeper picture, it boils down to a very simple end. Love and Faith. 

Many would raise their eyebrows to something like what Mr. Cruz did. But for him, it’s just his expression of love for art and faith to what art is all about. I know that not all artworks are beautiful that every people in the world will be mesmerized but all has its own sense. We hold up that art is one of the expressions of freedom which God has given us. However, we should also keep in mind that God made us critical beings so we could use that freedom wisely. For me, Cruz’s exhibition represents people’s abuse of freedom. Reality bites. The truth hurts. A lot of things are happening that will test our faith in God but nothing could make or break it but ourselves. I believe that what we need is a living faith. It’s not about our relationship with religion but our relationship with the higher being and how we actuate it in this circle of life.