Dirty Baptism is a performance video-installation that reworks the hymn recited during a Greek orthodox baptism; Το Σύμβολο της Πίστεως (translation: The Agreement to Faith). However, instead of introducing the concept of God and belief in religion – the purpose is to introduce ideas of sexual expression, sexual freedom, and the omittance of shame and guilt; embracing and pursuing our desires and pleasures.
This work came as a response to the disciminatory statements from a bishop within the Greek orthodox church of Cyprus in 2019, who demonised and used hate speech rhetoric to speak against the LGBT+ community and their existence. It is important to note that priests within the island still carry out the torturous methods of conversion-therapy, and the law itself still allows them to do so. (Update: as of 25/05/23 conversion-therapies are now a criminal offense in Cyprus!)
The title of this work comes from what the church would likely deem me as - dirty and shameful - as I promote self-acceptance and sexual agency while they do not.
