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Name: Exhibitors at a Fair in Dubai Have Covered up the Private Parts of Michelangelo's 'David,' Fearing It Might Offend Visitors
Authors: Dafoe, Taylor
Published Date: 5 Oct. 2021
Indexed Date: 10 Aug. 2024
Web Link: https://news.artnet.com/art-world/exhibitors-at-expo-dubai-covered-private-parts-michelangelos-david-2017165
Index Status: Complete
Original Language: English
Genre: Non-Fiction
Citation: Dafoe, Taylor. “Exhibitors at a Fair in Dubai Have Covered up the Private Parts of Michelangelo's 'David,' Fearing It Might Offend Visitors.” Artnet News, 5 Oct. 2021, https://news.artnet.com/art-world/exhibitors-at-expo-dubai-covered-private-parts-michelangelos-david-2017165

Summary

A controversy has arisen at the Italian pavilion at Expo 2020 in Dubai, as a 3D-printed copy of Michelangelo's David has had its genitals obscured for fear of offending Islamic traditionalists. The decision to obscure the statue's lower half has sparked both artistic and cultural debates, with some viewing it as an act of deference to Islamic tradition and others deeming it an unacceptable humiliation.