BHQFThe Transubstantiation of Bruce

The Manifesto of the Bruce High Quality Foundation: It will surprise many that Bruce High Quality went to church once a week. It is difficult to imagine the world’s greatest ironist – and thereby hostage to both the radical left and the religious right – as a believer. But there He was, week after week, reporting to the man upstairs. Even if we cannot presume to know His most sacred heart of all hearts, it has now become clear, twelve years after He passed away, that Bruce High Quality pursued the aim of leaving behind truly iconographic devotional objects for a truly secular age. The exhibition „The Transubstantial Bruce“ is the first to be devoted to High Quality’s spiritual concerns. With „The Sacraments“ – His masterly series of reliquaries modelled in plasticine – as well as with His mighty triptych „Father, Son, and Holy Ghost“ – a self-portrait showing Bruce High Quality’s death mask, a makeshift cross and an inflatable, scabby rat as an equal, eternal trinity – High Quality’s brazen intention to confront us directly with the hereafter becomes apparent. Nowhere is this mission more evident than in His masterpiece „Stations of the Cross“. Now they are being shown to the public for the first time: the 14 panels of „Stations of the Cross“ tell the story of the way to the crucifixion. Each tragic step opens up a parable of earthly sacrifice and righteousness. The exhibition is completed by a carefully chosen selection of intimate self-portraits by Bruce High Quality: everyday scenes showing Him amid His family and His friends – on earth as it is in heaven.

Exhibition:
Brooklyn Museum, New York, 28/6 – 22/9/2013