Pink Jesus

Artist statement: “Pink Jesus” is a performance art piece done by Cindy Paauw, which criticizes aspects of organized religion. Religious ritual starts off with a vast amount of meaning and history behind it, but through repetition and ignorance ritual starts to become an act devoid of significance. The mystery behind prayer seems to be whether or not they get answered, are received, and/or make a difference. This piece seeks to explore that question by using the pink Jesus eight ball. The audience was instructed to ask a question, and then shake the eight ball to receive an answer. Answers were given each time such as, “Believe, Let me ask my Dad, Sinner, For Christ’s Sake, No Chance In Hell, Yes my child, I Died For this, etc.” It was hysterical. The whole setup was designed in pink, inspired by the pink Jesus eight ball, and meant to add to the atmosphere of “religious fluff.” Communion was also a part of the piece, and one could have pink Gatorade and pink wafers (in place of wine and unleavened bread). This performance was part of an assignment in which the class was assigned to design a performance which is both meaningful and absurd. (JJV)