Geline Salac

Sculpture of Trump strapped to a cross displayed in Switzerland

Article (news)

Agence France-Presse

<div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DIjh3fkIgkw/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A233366.79999995232%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>BASEL - A realistic-looking sculpture of Donald Trump in an orange jumpsuit and strapped to a cross has stirred discussion -- and smiles -- in Switzerland, where it went on display this week.</p><p>The work, by British artist Mason Storm and titled &quot;Saint or Sinner&quot;, depicts the US president in prison garb with his eyes closed and his body laid out on a slightly tilted, padded white cross, evoking a possible crucifixion -- or an execution by lethal injection.</p><p>It has been on display in the northern Swiss city of Basel since Saturday, after a showing earlier this year in Vienna.</p><p>&quot;It is scary realistic,&quot; said Konrad Breznik, owner of the Gleis 4 gallery displaying the piece.</p><p>&quot;When we installed it, we came that close, and you would see every wrinkle and the skin is so realistic, it&#x27;s really scary,&quot; he told AFP.</p><p>The gallery had initially aimed to show the work at its premises at the Basel central train station starting in September.</p><p>But it ultimately abandoned that plan in favour of a less-crowded space, mounting the sculpture in a showcase window on Basler Kunstmeile, a pedestrian walkway in the heart of Basel.</p><p>Electronic counters have recorded more than 3,000 people passing by on Monday alone.</p><div><strong>- Sign of &#x27;democracy&#x27; -</strong></div><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DJjQDMZooQP/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A249912.5%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>As AFP looked on Tuesday, many passers-by stopped to smile at the artwork, but no one expressed outrage.</p><p>&quot;It&#x27;s a sign that we have democracy... that we are allowed to show things like this,&quot; Marit, a Norwegian national living in Basel, told AFP.</p><p>Asked if she thought the piece could have been shown in the United States, she said: &quot;I don&#x27;t think so, no.&quot;</p><p>Breznik said he believed the US president might actually appreciate the piece.</p><p>&quot;I do absolutely think that Mr Trump might see himself very well in the role of a modern Jesus,&quot; he said.</p><p>&quot;I&#x27;m pretty sure he is very much convinced that he is doing the right thing.&quot;</p><p>Mason Storm, an anonymous London artist known for hyper-realistic yet unconventional street art-inspired sculptures and canvases, conceals his face behind balaclavas or masks of his own design.</p><p>His often provocative works, which poke fun at hypocrisies found in modern society, is often compared to those of his famous compatriot Banksy.</p><p>On his Instagram account, he describes himself as &quot;the artist people love to love and love to hate, international Bon viveur pusher of pigment and a doer of deeds&quot;.</p><p>Long before &quot;Saint or Sinner&quot; arrived in Basel, the work was acquired by a collector: an &quot;internationally renowned figure living in Europe&quot;, whose name will remain confidential, according to the gallery.</p><p>elm-ag/nl/rmb</p>

<p>A realistic-looking sculpture of Donald Trump in an orange jumpsuit and strapped to a cross has stirred discussion -- and smiles -- in Switzerland, where it went on display this week.</p>

A realistic-looking sculpture of Donald Trump in an orange jumpsuit and strapped to a cross has stirred discussion -- and smiles -- in Switzerland, where it went on display this week.