JESUS OF SUBURBIA 

 

Photographic projects’ name “Jesus of Suburbia” by photographer T. Terekas has been adapted from a British TV Series “Buddha of Suburbia”, which tells the story of Pakistani immigrants living in UK. Dwelling on the thought of immigration as transformation not only subjecting physical space and culture, but also - time, the photographer is questioning, how would Jesus interpret present times. “Jesus from the hood or Jesus in da hood? The all seeing divine eye, yet subjected to all recording digital CCTV world himself.  Jesus sometimes ironic and sometimes seriously overlooking XXI century epidemics, such as globalisation or consumerism. Messiah, who is familiar with new media, social networking or advertising”, - names but a few contexts the artist. His presence is unquestionable, even intense and impudent: such as, Jesus, instead of Halo, parading Pillars of Gediminas, the earliest state symbol of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which were used initially as a rulers' personal insignia and later as a part of heraldic signs of leading aristocracy. Or his nimbus is replaced by “No Smoking” signage. As if a hero of cinematic production, Jesus takes on the lead role of persona on the road behind whose back flickers street adverts and neon lights… Other frameworks feature only symbolic physique of Jesus’ figurine merging in modern universe. Statuette purchased for £1 at London flea market, travels through swarming metropolis and unpretentious Lithuania. The static personage comes to life, with mockery omitting present time icons. Released from religious background Jesus is once again amidst masses, the most recognised world Icon in the span of signage era.