An exhibition titled the “The Mystery Man Exhibition” which presents a model of the crucified Jesus based on the Shroud of Turin has been raising some controversy.
This Holy Week, Gaudix Cathedral in Granada, Spain, is hosting the exhibition of the first hyper-realistic recreation of the body of Christ based on data obtained from the Shroud of Turin.
The exhibit first opened at Salamanca Cathedral in central Spain and will remain in Granada until June 30, after which it will tour Europe for the remainder of 2023.
The sculpture, made of latex and silicone, weighs about 165 pounds.
The posture is of the deceased Christ in rigour mortis. The legs are somewhat bent, hands are crossed at the level of the pubis. There is no false modesty in the figure. The entire body of the man on the Shroud is visible, with nothing omitted, including circumcision.
The hair that has been used is human and can be seen all over the body, from the feet to the head with all realism, without leaving out a detail.
When one approaches the figure — with hands behind one’s back by exhibit rules for visitors — one can observe every pore of the skin, freckles, eyelashes, and eyebrows.
The back is slightly raised, making apparent the lacerations on the head caused by the crown of thorns, and there is a kind of small braid that ties the hair on the back of the head. Also seen are the bruises on the shoulders due to carrying the weight of the cross.
On the skin, you can see each of the tearing wounds produced by the scourging and the traces of the nails in the hands and feet, as well as the one between the fifth and sixth ribs on the right side. The nose is broken and the right eye is bruised.
Reacting to the exhibition social media users have mixed feelings on this.
One wrote: “So they call it “The mystery Man” and who will be first to get the license to produce the action figure of “The Mystery Man”? If you believe that the Shroud of Turin is a genuine article (and I do), shouldn’t that be enough for you? No, of course not! You need a latex Jesus to satisfy your cravings. You have to pull the divinity of Christ in to this material world of ours, because to look up to heavens in wonder and fear and trembling is so bloody unsatisfactory. At least the video representation has some intuitive sensibility (thankfully) and leaves the latex Jesus only as bookends. It makes all the sense doesn’t it?”
Another user commented: “This exhibition does not live up to the sacred sense of when Jesus’ tomb was reopened for the first time.However, it clearly shows the Jesus of this age. It’s terribly miserable.”
Another comment says: “ Everyone comes to Christ in his/her own unique way. If this exhibit helps anyone to acknowledge the sacrifice of Our Lord personally, then it is worthwhile. Glory to You Our Lord and Savor.“
while another tweep asks the question that is on most people’s mind, “what is the point of this exhibition?”.
While it was on display in his diocese, Bishop Jose Luis Retana Gozalo of Salamanca said that this hyper-realistic representation does not imply a “theological conflict,” because the Mystery has become flesh. On the contrary, “it will be an aid to see the Mystery, a call towards the Mystery.”
In addition to the figure representing the crucified Christ, there is a preliminary exhibit that puts the viewer in context about the reality of the scourging and crucifixion and the research into the Holy Shroud.
The hyper-realistic sculpture tries to present before the viewer a “body of human quality without artistic movement,” without interpretation, made from multidisciplinary scientific data based on studies on the Holy Shroud.
The curator of the exhibition, Álvaro Blanco, who dedicated more than 15 years of research into its realization, gives a lengthy prior explanation of the historical and scientific data that culminates in the hyper-realistic body.
Blanco confessed during the presentation of the exhibition in the sacristy of the Cathedral of Salamanca that at the moment of seeing the finished body he was convinced that “he was before Jesus, he was before the image of the body of Jesus of Nazareth.”
A group of artists created the sculpture under Blanco’s direction.
“The Mystery Man” is presented by ArtiSplendore, a company specializing in cultural and artistic patrimony exhibitions and tourism.
“In the next 20 years we want to go to churches around the world,” said the company’s executive director.
Blanca Ruiz Antón, another spokesperson for the exhibit, told the press that “Italy will be our next location after Guadix,” adding that though there are no current plans to do so, they “would love to go to the States.”