Venice Police Label Christoph Büchel Art Project a Public Safety Threat

Swiss artist Christoph Büchel is presenting the first Mosque ever to occupy the historic center of Venice as his contribution to the Icelandic Pavilion at the 56th Venice Biennale.

According to Artnet News,

The project—with the rather self-explanatory title THE MOSQUE: The First Mosque in the Historic City of Venice­—is installed in the former Catholic church of Santa Maria dell’Abbazia della Misericordia, a 10th century building that has been closed for over forty years.

However authorities in Venice have notified the Icelandic Art Center that Italian police believe the Icelandic national pavilion is a “threat to safety.”

The letter—which has been given to The New York Times—states that Venice police is concerned about of the location of the installation, among other things.

More here.