Smithsonian Pulls Crucifix Video Amid Complaints

A video that briefly shows ants crawling over a crucifix was removed from an exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery on Tuesday following complaints from a Catholic organization and a leading member of Congress, writes The Washington Post.

William Donohue, president of the Catholic League, termed the 11-second snippet of a four-minute work by the late artist David Wojnarowicz “hate speech,” and Rep. John A. Boehner, the Ohio Republican who is expected to become Speaker of the House, said it represented a misuse of government funds.

The video had been on display since October 30 as part of an exhibit on sexual identity in portraiture. Martin E. Sullivan, the museum’s director, said the institution “wasn’t caving in” but decided to remove the work because “we want to focus on the museum’s and this show’s strength.”