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What Boundaries Defined by Liberalism Looks Like
Can this culture get any more vulgar, disrespectful and trashy? Well, it did and raised some money for charity in the process. Guests at the “Met Gala” were asked to dress in outfits that did not just reflect Christians, but specifically The Catholic Church.
“The Met Gala, hosted by Anna Wintour and celebrity co-chairs each year, is a fundraising effort with all proceeds going to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute, which is the only curatorial department at the museum that is self-funding. This isn’t a difficult task given that tickets to the event can cost $30,000 each, with a table running $275,000.” Well, as long as it was for a ‘good cause’ …
I don’t know how the dress requirement could be done in good taste, but would you agree the term ‘good’ taste has fallen into the dustbin of history? Can you imagine a dress requirement for a ‘gala fundraising’ event to dress in Hindu Temple garb or Islamic traditional wrap?
Yes, that’s a cross on Kardashian’s pelvis. (More photos are available here.)
Given the outcry of the poor girl who dare wear a beautiful Chinese dress to her prom and was barraged with being called racist, then subjected to a social media hate rant, I have to ask: is this not worse?
The vulgarity by the comedian at the White House Correspondence Dinner was beyond insulting, with no regard for the audience and was not funny. Michelle Wolf, the evening’s host, even laughed at abortion. When you see such an open display of debauchery at normal public events, have we just gone off the cliff? Here is the link – what do you think?
Latest UPDATE: Posted from Women of Grace Program:
“Jennifer Lopez wore a skin tight black dress that was slit to just below the hip with a large blue cross emblazoned across her barely-concealed chest.
Lana Del Ray wore a white gown with a large gold image of the Sorrowful Heart of Mary, complete with seven metallic swords sticking out of it.
Zendaya played Joan of Arc in a metallic silver gown with bared shoulders and deep slit showing off her cleavage.
Katy Perry wore a next-to-nothing golden mini dress that sported gigantic feathery angel wings and posed for pictures in a prayer posture while kneeling on the red carpet.
Madonna draped herself in black with a cut-out in the shape of a cross on her breast and black netting covering her face.
As for what was in the Museum’s collection, it wasn’t much better.
As Page Six reports, “A leather bondage mask draped in rosary beads, a jeweled bustier with its gems strategically placed and a fuschia gown inspired by cardinals’ robes — with a neckline that left its mannequin’s breasts mostly exposed — were all part of the Catholic-themed fashion exhibit at the Met Gala.”
Believe it or not, New York’s Cardinal Timothy Dolan visited the collection yesterday morning, just hours before the event kicked off.
“You may be asking, what is the cardinal archbishop of New York doing here? I asked that when I was invited several months ago,’’ the Cardinal joked. “But think about it just for a moment. It’s because the Church and the Catholic imagination are all about truth, goodness, and beauty… That’s why we have great schools… to teach the truth; That’s why we love and serve the poor – to do good; That’s why we’re into art, poetry, music, liturgy, and, yes, even fashion… to thank God for beauty; I guess that’s why…”
Notice he made these comments before the event. If he had a change of heart after seeing how far some of the stars went in making a mockery of all things Catholic, he has not yet commented.” (Posted by Women of Grace Blog May 8th, 2018)
With all due respect, I don’t think your message was conveyed at this event, Cardinal Dolan. It looked more like a parody, and reflects the general disregard for the sacred in our society today. In fact, what is considered sacred nowadays?
Published in General
This makes me think of Daniel Chapter 5 from which we get the phrase “the handwriting on the wall”. “Weighed in the balance and found wanting. “
Isn’t dressing up in Catholic church inspired dresses cultural appropriation? I can’t keep up with these lefties, the inconsistency is annoying. But this stuff, I blame Madonna for. She started this whole deal of wearing sacramentals as fashion accessories .
Although, Maybe the church could use this opportunity for evangelization. Hey people check out our fashion. Isn’t it great? You should also check out at our liturgy and magisterium for more inspiration.
Given the usual guest list, the history of avant-garde ‘fashion’ at this event and this year’s theme I’m frankly surprised it wasn’t way worse. And to be fair, it wasn’t all shock and awe, there were some perfectly fine looks as well:
These images are from Vogue’s website. You’ll notice they provide three buttons for you to express your opinion on each look.
“Hideous” is not an option …
I don’t keep up with the so-called art world, and can’t afford any trips to Gotham, but I’ll assume the Met is fully invested in what is called modern art. As modern art is devoid of meaning, it’s no surprise they every now and again try to borrow from something, like Christianity, which has meaning to spare.
I put this in the PIT, but might as well share it here:
Your point is well taken. But, actually it’s worse than you think. This is the Metropolitan Museum, not the MOMA. The Met is supposed to be the old school, traditional museum. According to the Left, this is tasteful.
D’oh! Thanks for the gentle correction.
I’m not sure they would be impressed – and Katy Perry makes Madonna look tame.
Well, it wasn’t all that bad. Sure the R&B divas dress like couture clowns (Where have you gone Dionne Warwick, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you).
But most women were dressed beautifully with a little Catholic rococo.
Now a MoMA event on this theme …
I agree with you that most modern art is garbage. However the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t the modern art museum. That museums has some wonderful collections. Also the MET, has The Cloisers is on the Northern part of Manhattan ( which is my favorite museum) which has a wonderful collection of Medieval art.
The Museum of Modern Art on 34th street, which has some of the worst exhibits BUT they do have a nice Van Gogh collection so that would be the only reason to go.
It doesn’t help that Katy Perry is being sued by a by a couple of elderly nuns.
I say let people wear what they want to wear.
I’m sure this is a costly jacket and is therefore not something I would buy. But if someone gave it to me as a gift, I believe I’d wear it. Especially to a Ricochet meetup that @jamesofengland is coming to. He always gets attention for his apparel, it’s time someone shows him up.
I’m very disturbed at the lack of sensitivity, respect and appreciation of the Left’s not caring that they are degrading and trivializing religion, practices that are supposed to be sacred and holy. That ugliness disturbs me more than the disgusting apparel. I’d love to know how many of them called themselves Christian. Sad.
I’ll second that recommendation on The Cloisters. An under appreciated gem! The theme of this year’s Met Gala is supposed to coincide with a gallery exhibition on the same theme at both the Met’s 5th Ave location and the Cloisters. I’ll be going … but I’m not sure what to expect.
Hottest. Pope. Ever.
She has my vote at Conclave…
One of whom died In Court! That has to be bad karma for Ms Perry, no?
Surreal is all I can say. It was like some weird satanic ritual where they mock the church and all it stands for. I’ve just read coverage of this event in two different newspapers. Business as usual “So and so wore Dolce and Gabana and a Nativity on her head”. Not a single quote from anyone questioning the event or about how tasteless this entire affair was. Cardinal Dolan apparently gave it his blessing, at least before the event.
So once again I am left aghast that we’ve lost the culture wars so thoroughly that not even the Catholic Church will defend itself and no one but Fox News will even question the wisdom of such a travesty.
Out of hundreds of guests, there were maybe 10 looks that rose (or sank) to that level. To be sure, that’s 10 too many. And they got all the press. Naturally.
Lots of questionable taste levels on display, but these same people dress badly at most events so there is nothing especially anti-Catholic in that.
The issue, I think, was pairing this event – which has a tradition of some people going over-the-top – with a gallery show featuring the Catholic Church. Nothing wrong with either idea, I’m just not sure they go well together. There is an Islamic Art section of the Met. And it was recently refurbished. Would they have paired the Met Gala with the Islamic Art re-opening? I’m guessing not.
Me too Susan – I am shocked! I just updated this post after reading that Cardinal Timothy Dolan of NY was on the guest list and attended the day before the opening. His quotes are above. Apparently, the Church lent several valuable pieces which were displayed, but some in vulgar ways (I am sure they were unaware), including a black bondage mask with rosary beads hanging from it! One of the guests wore a big Star of David in her hair.
News stories about the case don’t seem to get across the facts (I know, amazing, right?). The nuns aren’t really fighting Katy Perry; they’re fighting their own archdiocese. The church owns the property and has the right to sell it. They sold it, and the elderly nuns are claiming what amounts to squatter’s rights. They are getting some backing from the Los Angeles Times on the dual grounds of dubious feminism (Hey, it’s a bunch of women! They must be right!) plus distaste for the Church.
For anyone who has attended a TLM, he will notice the specific ornate aesthetic of the rite, the opulent visual language, the beauty of the stained glass windows, the detail of embroidered vestments, and the reach of vaulted ceilings toward God. It all combines to let one know they are in a divine space.
That these celebrities who mock Christ, the priesthood, Mary, and all that is Catholic go to these ends to attain beauty in the secular eye may signal that they sense that truth, beauty, and goodness reside in the Church, even if they only use their intuition and dress to mock us.
Reminds me of this, from Federico Fellini’s Roma:
Long clip, but it gets into some fun territory.
This was 46 years ago, so it’s not like this kind of thing is new. Plus, maybe religions need some mockery from time to time, especially when those who stand as moral beacons cover themselves in extravagance.
I am not advocating a Fifth Crusade, but if one happens and we need a recruitment poster, we could do worse:
I believe the Mormon Church took out a full page ad in the Playbill for Parker & Stone’s satirical & irreverent musical “Book of Mormon”.
Unlike Leftists or Jihadists, they had a sense of humor. The AdCopy said (approximately) “You’ve Seen The Show, Now Read The Book That Inspired It!”
In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo incident, it provided an interesting contrast of civil vs uncivil discourse.
I expect no less from the FrancisChurch.
Photos below from “Illuminating Our Common Home” a Vatican light show presented in December 2015 where images were projected onto Michelangelo’s St. Peter’s Basilica in order to emphasize the dangers due to climate change.
This. Totally disrespectful, and yet we have so many ‘conservatives’ totally missing the slap across their collective faces. Sad.
I just want someone to propose—with a straight face—“Let’s do “Fashion and the Muslim Imagination” next year!” And see what happens.
Ooh, and maybe the environmentalists could suggest that images of adorable puppies and dolphins be projected onto the Blue Mosque.
I think that God is so patient with the human race – that thought stuck out like a beacon to me two days before 9/11 and it’s sticking out in my mind as of late. How long will God be mocked without consequences?
Jean’s pictures above showing gold fish and puppy dogs across St. Peter’s Basilica, the same disciple Peter, the cornerstone of the Christian faith, who was crucified upside down by Emperor Nero Augustus Caesar, by request, as he said he was unworthy to be crucified in the same way as Jesus. Kate is right – if this event mocked Mohammed or Islam in any way, the outrage would be more than words.
That’s pretty funny. If the Met Gala had been presented as a parody, it would have been funny too. But the sad thing is that they seemed to be dead serious.