FAQs

1. What?

On 08.12.2024, Ayza Khawaja sent a text message to some of her friends, inviting them to participate in the long-held tradition of 'Dirty Santa'.

 

The message:

 

"Guys were [sic] doing dirty Santa, everyone buy stuff. Limit is 5k. Any objections?"

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What you see is "stuff". Beyond that, it is what you want it to be. If you want it to be art, it is called 'The Temptation of Christ'.

 

This is a self-aware play on the fact that while some may consider it to be art, others will consider it worth less than the value of the currency it holds. Such people, if they are the final recipient, can simply take the money out and use it for whatever they want. Even if that is better art. The 'play' is on the fact that (i) it is a Christmas present (hence the cross); (ii) it holds the temptation to liquidate and just use the money; and (iii) there is a movie called 'The Last Temptation of Christ'. 
 

 

2. Why?
 

You will notice that Ayza Khawaja's message read, "5k limit". The keen observer will have noted that there is an extra 100 rupee note. The keener observed will have considered that the cost of framing would have exceeded the limit further. The keenest observer will have considered that hosting this website and buying the domain name adds further cost still. 

 

All of this is true. But why?

 

You will recall that Ayza Khawaja sent this message to some of her "friends", and sought "objections". The artist of this piece, apparently, was not one such "friend". Accordingly, he was never granted the opportunity to "object". Had he be granted such an opportunity, he would have raised a simple objection:

 

"Don't Limit the Cross."

 

Generosity, with a limit, is not generosity. It is a transaction. That is not in keeping with the spirit of Christmas. As art is often an act of rebellion, this 100 rupee note represents the eternal fight against the chains that bind us.

 

3. Could it not have been smaller?

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Yeah, man. But the framer would have had to not mix up his conversion of centimeters and inches.

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4. Is it real money?

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Yes. 

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5. Is that all?

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No:​​​