Alien nativity display in NE Portland: Matt Henderson's bizarre celebration of Christmas

Publish date: 2024-06-07

Ho, ho, ho, have a spooky Christmas! Artist's bizarre nativity scene using aliens instead of wise men

By Craig Mackenzie
Updated: 08:04 EST, 23 December 2011

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Usually, there are three wise men bearing gifts in a traditional nativity scene and no sign of Santa and his  'ho,ho,ho' festive greeting.

But artist Matt Henderson has created an out of this world experience with his bizarre celebration of Christmas.

His yuletide exhibit at a former church in Portland, Oregon, has four aliens and a shaman wearing a Santa outfit.

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Bizarre: Artist Matt Henderson kneels in front of his 'Alien Nativity' exhibit at a former church in in Portland, Oregon

Bizarre: Artist Matt Henderson kneels in front of his 'Alien Nativity' exhibit at a former church in in Portland

Spooky: Four aliens bearing 'molecular parcels' replace the three wise men in a traditional nativity scene

Spooky: Four aliens bearing 'molecular parcels' replace the three wise men in a traditional nativity scene

Starman: Matt Henderson In 3D: Matt Henderson stands in an arch lit by neon which leads to the 'Alien Nativity' exhibit

Starman: Matt Henderson with the glowing 'nativity' star and in 3D glasses under the neon-lit arch 

The Santa comes complete with a deer's skull and antlers while the aliens are bearing what Henderson calls 'molecular parcels.'

To round off the weird experience, 'worshippers' have to wear 3D glasses as they walk through wire arches lit by neon and a glowing star to view the spooky creations.

Portland has a reputation for being unconventional with the city proud of being a trendsetter and its bumper stickers which say: 'Keep Portland Weird.'

So Henderson's exhibit fits right in - but even he admits it might not be 'for everyone.'

Unconventional: Henderson stands with figures in front of the exhibit. The city is proud of its car bumper stickers which say: 'Keep Portland weird'

Unconventional: Henderson stands with figures in front of the exhibit. The city is proud of its car bumper stickers which say: 'Keep Portland weird'

Seeing the light: Henderson adjusts the 'alien' exhibit. Visitors have to wear 3D glasses to view it

Seeing the light: Henderson adjusts the 'alien' exhibit. Visitors have to wear 3D glasses to view it

Alien worshipper: Matt Henderson outside the former church in Portland where he staged his exhibition

Alien worshipper: Matt Henderson outside the former church in Portland where he staged his exhibition

He said: 'You wind up seeing a reflection of yourself, and that's the symbolic message of nativity,

'Recognising divinity and potential in yourself. And at the same time perhaps recognising the terrestrial nature of Christ.'

Henderson admits people might be offended, but one visitor said: ' I thought it was beautiful. I actually got down on my knees.'

Starry impression: Artist Matt Henderson Image: A figure displayed at the exhibition

Starry impression: Henderson and one of the eerie figures on display at the 'Alien Nativity'


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