Ken And Barbie Died For Our Sins

An art show by a couple of Argentine artists has got the Vatican REALLY upset. What could they have done to piss off the seat of power of the Catholic Church? Create a Barbie Virgin of Guadalupe and Ken doll Jesus on the cross. The artists, Marianela Perelli and Pool Paolini, didn't stop at the two most important figures in Christianity. The show is called "Barbie, The plastic Religion". They created 33 dolls with religious figures of various faiths represented including Hindu gods and the Buddha. They wisely decided to stay away from the prophet Mohammed. But it is there take on the Virgin and Jesus that has most upset people. The Vatican denounced the show, like they have done with other blasphemous artworks in the past. They bring up that there is such a thing as bad taste and that it different than mere provocation.

What I don't get is that by denouncing the show and making such a big deal about it all they have done is make it more popular. Probably fifteen people would have seen the show in Buenos Aires at some gallery or whatever and that would be it. But by making such a hullabaloo there will probably be hundreds if not thousands of looky-loos that will go see the show. Personally, I just think the "art" is silly and predictable. "Ooooh, religion is fake so we are going to nail Ken to a cross, Ooooh we're so provocative." Give me a break.