I C A R C H 

 A DUAL CHURCH FOR HAITI – an “impure” church

Last year Times Magazine published an article with a provoking title: “Haiti – the Compassionate Invasion” by the way of the thousands military forces deployed in Haiti, after the earthquake.

And talking about "compassionate invasions" we cannot ignore the long history of such "benevolent works" performed with greedy generosity by the Church itself. Indeed, the Church was often a "compassionate invader." At this very moment there are plenty of missionaries all over the word, doing just this: "compassionate invasions."

A "compassionate invasion" also took place in the 16th century, when Roman Catholicism landed in Haiti.

The impurity of human work and interests could hardly leave one too hopeful, as far as humans are concerned.

What is Roman Catholicism doing in Haiti...?

But now that it is there, we cannot ignore it. Equally, we cannot ignore its "counterpart," the infamous Vodou (or Voodoo)...

Being that two major religions, one syncretist and one not, have to dwell side by side in Haiti, and since, besides houses, schools, roads banks and so on Haiti does need places of faith or worship too, we challenge you to design A DUAL CHURCH FOR HAITI. One that might be quite needed, actually.

Let's imagine the impossible: a church that is not afraid to TRY TO UNITE the two religions that seem to be today irreconcilable (even if Vodou does incorporate, as the more "impure" religion, elements of its counterpart).

Let's try to pacify the two religions on the very grounds of Haiti. You choose the place on the map of the ravished Port-o Prince for this DUAL CHURCH.

A Church that can and will combine the main characteristics of both religions.

Could we do it...?

We believe that the inhabitants of Haiti would be very appreciative, especially those (almost all of them, actually) who are "closet Vodou" so to speak... that is, who practice their infamous "underground" religion while "in the open" claiming that they are "pure" Roman Catholics.

Let's open-up the closet, courageously!

Let's bring the "shadow" into the open...!

Let's bring the "underground" upwards, towards light...!

And let's shadow, a little, what is excessively lit, now...!

Let's unite Light and Shadow in A DUAL CHURCH FOR HAITI.

Please send us ANY work, ANY size and ANY format that responds to the theme to icarchgallery@yahoo.com. We will publish all the works received on our website, www.icarch.us.

Thank you,

ICARCH Gallery