I figured out decades ago that it is the God-given mission of every new generation to make their parents cry. And as a result, each succeeding generation of parents requires a higher and higher threshold of shock applied to them in order to make their collective tears flow because of the ratcheted-up levels perpetrated during their own youths themselves.
"Smoking behind the corn-crib?" Don't burn it down.
"LSD?" The flashbacks aren't what they tell you they are.
"I'm pregnant?" Great, a grandkid.
"Flame red mohawk?" Look at my high school graduation portrait.
"Body piercings?" I'll show ya mine in the men's room.
"Flaming skull with snake and swastika tattoos?" Pass the salt...
On my forehead??!! How does this new damn TV box work?As a partial result of that escalating Mutually Assured Distress campaign over the last 75 years or so, the "Is nothing sacred?" question got laughed right out of the auditorium with the NEA and Andres Serrano's "Piss Christ." Hell, the 1920s beat the pants off of the 2010s.
Some "boundary-pushing fashion designer" from Turkey named Dilara Findikoglu, whose press releases describe herself as "an up-and-coming rebel in the fashion industry," figured out she wasn't getting any attention from any actual talent or product she produced. So she scheduled her "London Fashion Week" parade of what are ostensibly "clothing designs" for her "Spring/Summer 2018 Collection" to take place in London's St. Andrew's Church in Holborn. And just to make sure everybody looked, she filled it with imagery of symbols like inverted pentagrams, demonically-horned models, skeletons, all-seeing eyes, and the whole standard melange of pseudo-occult-Satanic-Illuminati-Masonic appropriation. And to make sure everybody got just how "edgy" she was, she covered up the church altar and erected a backdrop of an enormous square and compasses with a Jachin and Boaz for good measure, and made certain the term "Black Mass" got wedged into the tabloids along with it all.
All that was missing was the Aleister Crowley photo in the middle of it all so everybody could really "get it." But then, I guess that'd be like a comedian admitting he stole stale jokes from an old Henny Youngman act.
That was Monday. By Tuesday, the Church was already issuing their official apology:
The parish of St Andrew's has always supported London Fashion Week. We took this booking in good faith and were not aware of the content or design before the show took place.
This was obviously a mistake, and the content of this show does not reflect the Christian faith of the Church. We will be looking at our booking processes going forward to ensure this does not happen again.As for Ms. Findikoglu's future career successes, it is apparently assured. Stories about her seem to be rife with precious gems like this:
Findikoglu is considered an up-and-comer in the fashion industry, and as a result is alleged to have been substantially influenced by the Illuminati. Among her biggest fans are musicians and other artists who also reportedly have Illuminati connections.Pull the other one...
Chris, to think, you shared the more subtle "looks" of her show. I'm sure the church was quite put off by the whole thing. I don't dare try to comprehend the psychology of many new fashion designer, artist, or other creator, feeling as if they have to be more "edgy", as you say, than their predecessors in order to garner attention - but you have to admit, it worked for her - to the detriment of her profession in general, or not.
ReplyDeleteLondon has a great many redundant churches that are compelled to take in laundry, so to speak. Superb buildings, some of Wren design or inspiration, but without congregations that can sustain them. This will not be the last time that renting out space will prove a disaster.
ReplyDeleteThis one is, actually, a Wren church. Also a "Guild Church," which I had not encountered as a term before. From what I can gather (anyone is welcome to correct me), it's sort of a self-described "church for hire" for the neighborhood, and has been for many years. it seems to have an Anglican parish and a Catholic one sharing the space, and possibly others.
DeleteThe City of London, in contrast with the much larger county of London, is controlled by the ancient guilds -- Goldsmiths, Fish Mongers, Skinners, Merchant Tailors, and so on. The Lord Mayor and other officials are chosen from those who have received the Freedom of the City at Guildhall and then may if they wish join one or more of the guilds. An American like myself who has been given the Freedom is in the peculiar situation of being able to vote while most Londoners cannot. Many of the guilds adopt a particular church which they use on occasion. Some of the guilds have close associations with a Masonic lodge. The Masons guild has been the subject of considerable Masonic research because of its involvement with the transition from operative. Although more people now live in the City than formerly, it still is dominated by offices and institutions, so there are few residents to provide congregations. The protocol is elaborate -- the phrase to be at sixes and sevens comes from an ancient quarrel between two of the guilds that was settled by alternatives between being six or seven in processions. There are guilds in other European cities with church ties, but none have the tremendous wealth and power that the London ones do. Women now can receive the Freedom and indeed the wife of the present Grand Master of English Masons, HRH The Duchess of Kent, is a member of the Worshipful Company of Musicians.
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