Amid a series of dark rooms, a fusion of art, history, and science unfolds. Nearby hangs a white curtain. Not far away stands a sculpture depicting the wounded body of Jesus of Nazareth.
The Mystery Man exhibition made its U.S. debut at 11 a.m. yesterday at Florida International University’s Modesto A. Maidique Campus. It runs through Aug. 15.
The exhibit features a 5-foot-9, 165-pound hyper-realistic sculpture of Jesus of Nazareth following his crucifixion. The piece depicts wounds and torture markings that represent the brutality and mistreatment Jesus faced.
In addition, the exhibition includes a series of immersive rooms guiding visitors through the crucifixion. It also explores the history of the Shroud of Turin, a long cloth that includes the faint image of a crucified man — and ios fabled as Jesus’ burial cloth.
Alvaro Blanco, the curator of the exhibition, shared his perspective on the piece.
“Jesus was the first artist,” said Blanco. “That’s the reason why this exhibit works. Because his artwork is visual and emotional,”
The exhibit, which originated in Salamanca, Spain, has drawn emotional reactions from visitors, including Venezuelan actor Hector Peña.
“God inspired me,” said Peña. “He gave me the power to bring this project to the U.S., to touch hundreds of people. It goes beyond art; this is a museum that touches art, science, and history.”
