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Crucifix with erection absolved

Artist Federico Solmi's controversial crucifix that was confiscated from the Arte Fiera in Bologna in January is to be returned, and charges against the artist dropped. The cross, which features a pope character with a large grin and an erection, offended a local judge who saw it during the fair, resulting in its confiscation and religious offense and obscenity charges against Solmi.

Federico Solmi's crucifix, from "The Evil Empire" (2007). Courtesy LMAKprojects

But the judges in a Bologna court of review found that the cross was nether blasphemous — because it is not a cult object — nor obscene, because it could not be unanimously ruled as such. The artwork is "undoubtedly provocative in light of its associations of sexual and religious symbols," the judges said, "but that does not exclude its conduciveness to the notion of a work of art." They added that the questions raised by the cross can be resolved only by an "elegant intellectual game" that would be of no judicial value.

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