Culture and Living | Iceland Monitor | Fri 22 May 2015 | 15.14 GMT

Icelandic Mosque closed by Venetian police

The Mosque by Swiss-Icelandic artist Christoph Buchel has caused some controversy in Venice and has now been closed by Venetian police. Photo: Bjarni Grímsson

Venetian police have now closed the Icelandic pavilion at the Venice Biennale, a work titled The Mosque by artist Christoph Büchel set up in a deconsecrated Catholic church. The piece has been very controversial in Venice and police gave the explanation upon closing the exhibit this morning that the organisers had not heeded the rules given for the exhibit.

Organisers of the exhibit and Venetian authorities have been disputing whether it's a real mosque intended for worship or an art installation. The organisers of the Icelandic pavilion have 60 days to amend the installation according to regulations.

Read an official statement from Björg Stefánsdóttir, the director of the Icelandic Arts Centre HERE.

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