MET with a HYMNdinger
The Catholicism-inspired Met Gala has brought the focus back on how creativity and expression are intertwined and persona.
The Met Gala and Anna Wintour are in the eye of a storm. It was because fashion and religion converged, as we have seen happen throughout history. This time though, social media is raging with shock, and also awe, at the opulent display of the theme: Heavenly bodies, Fashion and the Catholic Imagination. Images of Rihanna dressed in a papal-inspired ensemble, Kim Kardashian’s golden shimmer dress with a crucifix and Sarah Jessica-Parker’s nativity-inspired headdress, have angered many. Questioning what matters beyond creativity, and to what lengths can one go to represent religious iconography and beliefs are the kinds of issues that have been raised. What liberties can be taken in the name of art?
Designer Wendell Rodricks is alarmed at the lengths to which the Met Gala has gone to grab eyeballs and lashes out at Anna Wintour. The usually liberal designer exclaims, “It was bizarre and blasphemous. This is a challenge to Anna Wintour, please choose Islam as your next theme if you have the gumption! Anna has made the gala into her own ego massage. Being disrespectful to a religion should be avoided at all costs. Madonna has been using Christian iconography in her songs for long, in cases like Papa Don’t Preach, which speaks of abortion, it was pertinent, but inviting women known for their vulgar clothing to cause shock and awe, or someone placing a crucifix on her cleavage is JUST not done.”
In fact he had posted earlier, “As a Christian, I am disgusted at this year’s Met Gala. This year it has gone too far. Every Christian Church, including the Vatican, should sue them for defamation and blasphemy for making the crucifix a sex object, DISGRACEFUL and DISGUSTING insult to religious sentiment. Please try this with Islam, Hinduism or Buddhism and face the backlash Ms Wintour.”
It is true that the Met Gala and the Vatican have been going back and forth to set guidelines for the theme, and Met received a stamp of approval from the Vatican, but this hasn’t stopped people from fuming over, what they as, the sexualisation of Catholicism.
Yet, throughout history, pop icons, fashion designers and artists have used religious symbols to explore creativity. For instance, designer Karl Lagerfeld used a Quran verse on a Chanel dress. So what is the fine line one needs to tread between creative freedom and religious expression? Nithya Shanti, a spiritual leader and guru advises to tread responsibly. “I would like to quote Chetan Bhagat, ‘Be so busy improving yourself that you have no time to criticise others.’ This is the best spiritual attitude. Life is a hall of mirrors, and the wise know that they judge in others the very things they have not embraced within themselves. Instead of judging the judgers, and unconsciously taking on the same holier than thou attitude, I suggest sending soothing vibes to everyone involved in this. It’s done to provoke so why be gullible and get provoked? Most things that have our attention these days do not deserve it. Honestly, this does not either. The media loves to give attention to rile people up. Let them wear their clothes and be done with it. Why make a fuss?”
Designer Farah Ali Khan calls herself a staunch liberalist, and says, “I am most liberal in my views. I think people should raise their voice against serious issues; this (the gala) was fun, entertainment. Let’s practice what religions teach us instead of focusing on what is where and how it is done. Of course, let us also not make a mockery of religion.”
There are those like designer Manoviraj Khosla who believe in self-expression. “I think what I saw at the MET Gala was absolutely fantastic. If the Vatican has endorsed it, who are we to diss it? It was dramatic but, creatively and innovatively done. The theme was the influence of Catholicism, and the ones who’ve worn it are Christians. The people who’ve organised it, designed it and worn it are those with an authority in fashion. Let us not refute that. So, what is the argument about? It’s fashion for heaven’s sake. Let us embrace extremity, and not be fussy. The only reason I see people raising an objection is narrow-mindedness.”
Though Rodricks is very uncomfortable with the sexual overtones, “Yes, the Vatican has given approval for an exhibition, but not for this bizarre display — it was about using Christian iconography as an artform. This is completely different, and it demeans. Doing charity does not mean walking all over cultural and religious ethos. You cannot mix the two issues at all.”
Amy Billimoria, a Mumbai-based fashion designer also feels that so many things influence art and it is harsh to judge, “I do not think, that if someone has imbibed something from a particular religion, we are condemning a religion per se. Having said that, I feel that we all should know our boundaries. We should not hurt anyone’s feelings be it in art or fashion. Even if we are taking inspiration from religion, we need to keep in mind the thought process. So, although it is our personal process, we should see to it that we do not create havoc in society, because that would be our legal and moral binding to do so.”
Uncomfortable with the sexuality of what is considered sacrosanct has the social world abuzz, but beyond that is a realisation that one needs to step back and take a more responsible stance, both the naysayers and the fashion-forward.
They did it, responsibly
- Ariana Grande in a sweeping ball gown by Vera Wang featured the famed art from the Sistine Chapel, aka Michelangelo inspired.
- Greta Gerwig in her demure nun attire.
- Scarlett Johannsen also sported a subtle red dress.
- Gisele Bundchen with hubby Tom Brady were subtle in their religious overtones.
- Even Anna Vintour was dressed in a white lace ensemble without any overt display.
- Katy Perry came dressed as an angel.
Those that did not
- Rihanna and her papal ensemble
- Kim Kardashian’s crucifix on her dress
- Jennifer Lopez sported a dress shaped like a cross across her chest.
- Black Panther’s Chadwick Boseman sported a dandy white suit with crosses all over.
- Sarah Jessica Parker’s nativity head dress.
- Jared Leto’s channelled Baroque Jesus with a golden crown sitting on his flowing shoulder-length locks