Interpretation of Michelangelo's Pieta

Michelangelo Buonarroti

1498-1499

Marble

1.74m x 1.95m

Saint-Peters basilica

Rosa Paardenkooper - Nous sommes Charlie

2014

Photo Layers

1500x1500

Istanbul

As a response to the recent events in Paris, I decided to comment on the situation in my pieta adaptation. In order not to take away from its message and function I used a very subtle change by adding text. My goal is to demonstrate how the attack on the headquarters of Charlie Hebdo, a satirical French magazine, should not be defined by the hatred of one religion, Islam, towards this magazine, but should rather be defined by the hatred of these particular men who committed these acts. The death of Ahmed, a Muslim police officer who was killed whilst protecting the magazine, has become a symbol of the way in which these events should not be subscribed to a religion but rather to individuals. By making both Jesus and Maria, two Christian icons, stating that they are equally Ahmed I aim to comment on any questioning of these actions in relation to religion, demonstrating that generally speaking people are all Ahmed.

This article reflects on the position of #jesuisahmed and #jesuischarlie in the light of recent events http://www.vox.com/2015/1/9/7521151/charlie-hebdo-jesuisahmed