Jesus on a Popsicle: Artist Makes Wine-Flavored Christsicles
Faith can restore a fractured soul. When temperatures skyrocket, it can also be quite refreshing. Over the weekend, at a pre-Design Week party at Gallery R'Pure in New York's Flatiron District, Chilean-born artist Sebastian Errazuriz's latest work -- 100 wine-flavored popsicles molded around crosses instead of sticks -- was doled out and both literally and metaphorically consumed by an audience. As each popsicle was eaten, a wooden crucifix emerged, a drawing of Jesus decorating its center.
Sebastian Errazuriz
According to a CNN blog previewing the event, Errazuriz's frozen treats (the wine used to make them had been "inadvertently" blessed by a priest) were intended to be symbolic, "an invitation to 'drink the Kool-Aid' that ... so many religious zealots are stirring up." The artist reportedly hoped the Christsicles would encourage attendees to be less stuffy about their faith, to allow room for irony, wit and whimsy.
While we doubt the Manhattan gallery crowd needed much encouragement, the message doesn't offend. For many, faith is like a popsicle -- a quick fix when the heat is on, an ephemeral, drippy sop for ailments beyond control. Errazuriz made his statement, but we could see some enterprising folks missing the multitude of points, and focusing instead on the fortune that could be made by handing out virgin American flag-hued Christsicles at mega-church picnics.
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