Chocolate Jesus Easter Exhibit Cancelled, Hotel "Affirms Dignity"

In response to the public outcry over the life-sized 6-foot chocolate Jesus, naked and hanging on a cross, during the Catholic Lent week leading up to Easter, the Roger Smith Hotel has decided to cancel the exhibit.

According to a press release from the hotel, James Knowles, the president of the Roger Smith Hotel, said the feelings of Catholics and Christians, who announced via the Catholic League their intentions to boycott the exhibit — and the subsequent news media wall-to-wall coverage of the outraged citizens protesting the idea of a naked figure of Jesus in chocolate — were "crystal clear".  Knowles said they decided to "affirm the dignity and responsibility of the Hotel" by cancelling the controversial exhibit.

World renowned artist Cosimo Cavallaro was to unveil his latest and most striking installation at the Lab Gallery (at the Roger Smith Hotel, 47th and Lexington avenue) in the early morning hours of April 1st.

Cavallaro’s work, entitled "My Sweet Lord" is a 6 foot tall, anatomically correct sculpture of Jesus Christ in milk chocolate.

"I’m truly thrilled to be working with Cosimo again," said Matt Semler Creative Director of the Lab. "The sign of any great artist is how their work affects the observer. His art always gets a reaction, but this is the most dramatic piece of his career. It is absolutely amazing."

The exhibit was to be viewed from the street when the velvet curtains of the gallery were to be open from midnight to 1 AM and 6 PM to 7PM (starting April 1st and closing April 7th).
 
Although Cavallaro has work in permanent collections of museums world-wide, he is best remembered for covering a New York City hotel room in melted cheese (1999).

Jesus, The 485,460-Calorie Messiah

Via The Post Chronicle