Barbie as the Virgin Mary? Ken as Jesus? Italian Catholics are not amused

The State ^ | September 24, 2014 | JOSEPHINE MCKENNA

[Alex Murphy]

ROME — Barbie has had a number of careers in her 55 years – flight attendant, veterinarian, astronaut, even president. Her latest role, however, is raising eyebrows.

Italy’s Catholic bishops are furious about controversial artistic depictions of the popular Barbie and Ken dolls as the Virgin Mary and a crucified Jesus Christ and other saints.

Two Argentinian artists, Marianela Perelli and Pool Paolini, produced 33 dolls of various religious figures for a show named “Barbie, The Plastic Religion,” which opens in Buenos Aires on Oct. 11.

SIR, an Italian website backed by the Italian bishops conference, denounced the controversial toys in an editorial, which asks: “What is the difference between provocation and bad taste?”

The artists’ collection featured on their Facebook page includes religious figures from Catholicism, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Although the artists decided against creating a Ken doll as Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, they do depict Jesus being crucified on the cross.

On their Facebook page the two artists write in Spanish that there was no way they would depict Muhammad out of their great respect for Islam but stressed they did not intend to offend any religion.

The brightly colored dolls have provoked widespread debate in several languages from Argentina to France. The collection also includes versions of Barbie as Joan of Arc, Mary Magdalene and the Virgin of Lourdes.

“Do you think it is finished? If you did, you’re forgetting that there is also the masculine component of the plastic couple. So you can see the faithful and eternal boyfriend Ken dressed as Jesus, Saint Roch, Saint Sebastian or for the politically correct, Buddha,” the website editorial says.

The bishops’ website invites parents to explain to their children why a doll is not always a gift and to help to deconstruct “the fictitious role” presented and the true stories behind the dolls.

[Alex Murphy]

Barbie has had a number of careers in her 55 years – flight attendant, veterinarian, astronaut, even president. Her latest role, however, is raising eyebrows....Two Argentinian artists, Marianela Perelli and Pool Paolini, produced 33 dolls of various religious figures for a show named “Barbie, The Plastic Religion,” which opens in Buenos Aires on Oct. 11....The artists’ collection featured on their Facebook page includes religious figures from Catholicism, Judaism, Hinduism and Buddhism. Although the artists decided against creating a Ken doll as Islam’s Prophet Muhammad, they do depict Jesus being crucified on the cross. On their Facebook page the two artists write in Spanish that there was no way they would depict Muhammad out of their great respect for Islam but stressed they did not intend to offend any religion....

....SIR, an Italian website backed by the Italian bishops conference, denounced the controversial toys in an editorial, which asks: “What is the difference between provocation and bad taste?”

[dfwgator]

Although the artists decided against creating a Ken doll as Islam’s Prophet Muhammad

Wimps.

[fieldmarshaldj]

"Although the artists decided against creating a Ken doll as Islam’s Prophet Muhammad"

Gutless weasels.

[dfwgator]

On their Facebook page the two artists write in Spanish that there was no way they would depict Muhammad out of their great respect for Islam

No, they didn't depict him because they want to keep their heads.

[Army Air Corps]

On their Facebook page the two artists write in Spanish that there was no way they would depict Muhammad out of their great respect for Islam...

Translation - We are scared ****less of our heads being removed from our bodies.

[RichInOC]

Re: the artists...The Stupid. It Burns.

[Gamecock]

Shall I make enough popcorn for two?

[Morgana]

I’m so not amused!

[Bringbackthedraft]

WOW! A blond Aryan Jesus and Mary, from the land of the Semites? Its not Jesus, its a trick, he is obviously Thor!

[OpusatFR]

“On their Facebook page the two artists write in Spanish that there was no way they would depict Muhammad out of their great respect for Islam but stressed they did not intend to offend any religion.”

Liars! Just like their father below.

[Morgana]

You know I did not even notice how blonde the baby Jesus was. Yes Mattel the stupid it BURNS.

[GraceG]

Although the artists decided against creating a Ken doll as Islam’s Prophet Muhammad

[GraceG]

WOW! A blond Aryan Jesus and Mary, from the land of the Semites? Its not Jesus, its a trick, he is obviously Thor!

[BBell]

Why Not? They could have had the Prophet Muhammad holding skipper, Barbie's little sister.

[huldah1776]

I did that one Christmas for a home made nativity. Only I used my son’s GI Joseph and a generic Barbie. Being a Protestant I really don’t like Jesus on the cross but like the empty tomb. One of my favorite stories is when Jesus goes to see Mary Magdalene before seeing the Father.

[tet68]

the two artists write in Spanish that there was no way they would depict Muhammad out of their great desire to keep
on living and not have their sexual parts lopped off.

[Chode]

feh... spit

[The_Reader_David]

Well, this is the logical end of the progression that the “Rennaisance” abandonment of iconographic standards in favor of humanistic, sentimental, artistic portrayals of Our Lord, His Blessed Mother and the saints started.

Everyone should read the critique of Western religious art that Pope Benedict XVI penned when he was a Cardinal.

[Salvation]

I’m not amused either.

[Alex Murphy]

I’m so not amused!

I’m not amused either.

I wasn't aware that my sole existence on this Earth and in this Forum was to amuse you. Perhaps confining yourselves to Caucus or Devotional threads would better suit you?