That’s right – the Messiah Motif that people are placing on the President was taken to a new level recently.
I find it rather silly, but then again, I know the real Messiah, so while this is silly, it does not bother me – but it bothered a lot of other:
Painter Michael D’Antuono has cancelled the planned public unveiling of his latest work “The Truth” at NYC’s Union Square Park on President Obama’s 100th day in office due to overwhelming public outrage. The artist’s decision was based in part on thousands of emails and phone calls; online blogs and other public commentary received in the first 48 hours following its release.
The painting which was first made public on Friday depicts President Obama appearing much like Jesus Christ on the Cross; atop his head, a crown of thorns. Behind him, the dark veil being lifted (or lowered) on the Presidential Seal. The photo was the most emailed picture on the web.
The artist insists that the work was intended purely as a political piece. “The religious reference was used metaphorically and not to insult anyone’s religious beliefs. If that is the effect that my art has had on anyone, I am truly sorry,” says D’Antuono.
Over the next several weeks, the artist hopes to make public much of the content received that helped shape his decision. He continues to welcome people’s questions, comments and feedback at thetruth@dantuonoarts.com.
Joel L. Watts holds a Masters of Arts from United Theological Seminary with a focus in literary and rhetorical criticism of the New Testament. His interests include exploring the role of mimesis in human civilization, specifically in the study of religion and media, as well as science fiction and the way in which it has allowed mythology to be explored in light of scientific discoveries of the past century. He is the author of Mimetic Criticism of the Gospel of Mark: Introduction and Commentary (Wipf and Stock, 2013) and a co-editor and contributor to From Fear to Faith: Stories of Hitting Spiritual Walls (Energion, 2013).
Website: → Unsettled Christianity
Connect
Ummm … yeah …
So, here’s the thing …
Is there any Obama supporter out there who actually buys into this Messianic stuff? I’ve heard many, many, many, many, many, many, many critics attribute it to his supporters, but I don’t recall ever hearing a supporter sound like such.
Maybe I’m just confused.
Ummm … yeah …
So, here’s the thing …
Is there any Obama supporter out there who actually buys into this Messianic stuff? I’ve heard many, many, many, many, many, many, many critics attribute it to his supporters, but I don’t recall ever hearing a supporter sound like such.
Maybe I’m just confused.
Wickle – You mean you didn’t see the sun come out, the birds sing, and the heavens open when he was sworn into office? No dove? Nothing? Are you a heretic?
Seriously, I haven’t seen a direct application of the Messiah motif, but I do know of a few that comes close – but then again, look what we had for the last eight years.
Laughing at PC -
This is very interesting from the article:
Obviously, D’Antuono didn’t think many would be upset by this depiction.
I will admit that any portrayal of a real person as a Christ figure makes me cringe – not the public outcry kind of cringe – just the disgusted kind.
Laughing at PC -
This is very interesting from the article:
Obviously, D’Antuono didn’t think many would be upset by this depiction.
I will admit that any portrayal of a real person as a Christ figure makes me cringe – not the public outcry kind of cringe – just the disgusted kind.
I just find it creepy, personally.
I just find it creepy, personally.
Yeah – I think the painter had a lot of time on his hands and watched Chris Matthews way too much.
Wickle – You mean you didn’t see the sun come out, the birds sing, and the heavens open when he was sworn into office? No dove? Nothing? Are you a heretic?
Seriously, I haven’t seen a direct application of the Messiah motif, but I do know of a few that comes close – but then again, look what we had for the last eight years.
Yeah – I think the painter had a lot of time on his hands and watched Chris Matthews way too much.