Irish MoCA Takes On Blasphemy

This past January 1st, Ireland’s parliament clarified an old antiblasphemy law, defining it as any statement “grossly abusive or insulting in relation to matters held sacred by any religion,” and added a fine of up to $34,000 for offenders.

Taking this new law as a point of departure, the Irish Museum of Contemporary Art curated a show, aptly titled, you guessed it, Blasphemous, which opened on Good Friday (April 2nd), and which aims a direct attack at this law.

However, visual artists need not fret, as the new law has an exception that should comfort artists like those featured in the blasphemy exhibition. The law provides for a defense in cases of materials “that a reasonable person would find of genuine literary, artistic, political, scientific or academic value.” This week’s Time Magazine has a bit more on scheduled protests as well as IMOCA’s upcoming summer show, These Artists Are Criminals. Check out some of the work here:

Tags: art and religion, Art Law, blasphemy and art, censorship, free speech and art, virgin mary