At the Expo 2020 in Dubai, Michelangelo’s David cannot be fully seen in the Italian pavilion. The parts of the statue are hidden.
Dubai – The world exhibition Expo 2020 has been running in Dubai since October 1, one year late. Out of respect for the customs in the Islamic emirate, the work of one of the most famous sculptures in the world, Michelangelo’s David, is covered up – this is causing a controversy.
The original sculpture was not shipped to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), it is still in the Italian city of Florence and attracts tons of tourists from all over the world every year. The Dubai David is a copy of the 5.2 meter high statue and is made of synthetic resin from the 3D printer. At 550 kilograms, the Arabic version is an absolute lightweight. For comparison: the Italian original weighs almost six tons, according to estimates. Michelangelo’s David is said to be the eye-catcher on the Italy pavilion at the Expo.
Gender covered by Michelangelo’s David at Dubai Expo 2020
With the work, Italy wants to show the international audience both tradition-conscious and future-oriented. “It is a technology that connects our historical memory with our future memory,” the Italian General Commissioner for the World’s Fair, Paolo Glisenti, told the New York Times. “History and innovation – these are the topics that interest us.”
But the gigantic statue itself or its design does not cause a big stir. One detail, on the other hand, is the subject of numerous media reports. Since the public display of nudity is forbidden in Dubai, the Italian authorities had to cover up the gender of Michelangelo’s David.
A large stone slab between the two floors, over which the sculpture extends, ensures that none of the visitors inside gets embarrassed to stare directly at the genitals of the statue. The design on the top floor, which is open to the public, makes it impossible to bend down and look at the creatures. The naked pubic area can only be seen on the lower floor, which can only be entered by officials and VIPs.
Scandal over Michelangelo’s David: Desperate search for a solution for Expo 2020 in Dubai
Apparently, a solution was desperately sought in advance to cover the statue’s penis. “We even thought about putting on his underwear, but by then it was too late,” said an Italian to the Rome newspaper La Repubblica, who had helped prepare for the Dubai Expo. “We realized too late that it was a mistake to bring the statue of a naked man to the Emirates.”
The Italian politician and art critic Vittorio Sgarbi clearly criticized the handling of sculpture. “Italy veils Michelangelo’s David in Dubai out of consideration for Islamic tradition: an outrageous, unacceptable and unbearable humiliation,” Sgarbi told the Adnkronos news agency. The Italian state and its art are being humiliated. In contrast, the artistic director of the Dubai-Davids sees the controversy calmly. “It’s a different perspective that is new, introspective and moving,” said Davide Rampello, describing the sculpture.
World Exhibition in Dubai: Three people die during construction work
According to those responsible, three workers were killed during the construction work for the world exhibition in Dubai. 72 other workers were seriously injured during the construction of the Expo site, the Expo announced. The huge exhibition area in a suburb of Dubai was built by more than 200,000 people who, according to official figures, worked 247 million hours.
Although the European Parliament has called on its member states to boycott the Expo because of the human rights situation in the Emirates, Germany is represented at the fair with Campus Germany. In the German pavilion, which was opened by Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller (CSU) on the Day of German Unity, innovations on the topics of mobility and sustainability will be presented, among other things. “The world exhibition Expo shows what is already possible today: for the cities of the future, for sustainable energy supply and infrastructure, mobility and health,” said Müller at the opening. (tvd)
