Toulouse. James Colomina installs a shocking work in a church to “denounce the excesses of Abbé Pierre”

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A recumbent figure with the features of Abbé Pierre, the body hidden under a white sheet, with an evocative protuberance. This is the new shocking work that the artist James Colomina installed in Toulouse this Friday, November 1, 2024, within the Gesu church.

“Denounce abuses committed within the Church”

Siletium – this is the name of this work which will remain in place for two days – is the first work that James Colomina installed indoors. And not just anywhere: to better “denounce the silence around the abuses committed within the Church”, the artist chose to install his creation in the heart of a religious building.

A deconsecrated church

A building which has, however, been desecrated: the Gesu church is no longer a place of worship, no more services are celebrated there and the premises have belonged to Toulouse town hall since 2000.

“I wanted a striking work: by installing it in a church, I amplify it. The sheet placed on Abbé Pierre symbolizes the sheet that the church has placed on its problems of abuse for hundreds of years, without find a solution.”

Numerous accusations against Abbot Pierre, known to the Vatican

As a reminder, Abbot Pierre is accused of sexual assault by several women. Accusations made public by Emmaüs and the Abbé Pierre foundation last July and September.

Pope Francis had acknowledged that the Vatican had been aware of Abbot Pierre's conduct for several years.

“What is serious is what Abbé Pierre did, not my work”

A few days after the great success of the Machine show in Toulouse, which offended a section of the Catholic Church which deplored the satanic imagination of urban opera, the artist assumed the risk of shocking some.

“Firstly, I do this in a deconsecrated church, so I don’t touch the worship,” argues James Colomina. Secondly, my work is less powerful than what the victims suffered: what is serious is what Abbot Pierre did. And thirdly, I am a committed artistwhen I see topics like this, I want to express myself on it. I know it might be offensive, but I'm not going to do nothing for fear that some weirdo will damage the work. »

For several years, James Colomina has chosen total anonymity: “it’s also because I want to be free in my artistic choices. »

Silence is visible at the Gesu church, 22 bis rue des Fleurs, in Toulouse, Friday November 1 and Saturday November 2, 2024, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m. Entrance is free.

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