Tuesday 27 May 2014

Martyrs in St Paul's

St Paul's Cathedral has opened the most inappropriate video installation thingy imaginable: Bill Viola's Martyrs (Earth, Air, Fire, Water). The seven-minute videos delivered across four colour vertical plasma screens show models in modern dress - jeans and the like - being attacked by the traditional elements of Earth, Air, Fire and Water to represent their final torment. Shown is Air Martyr being buffeted by wind. In no way does this hi-tech buffoonery seem appropriate within the grandeur and beauty of St Paul's. Secondly, with demented Islamists blowing themselves up across the planet in insane expectation of gaining Muslim Paradise with 60 virgins awaiting them, is this a good time to be extolling the virtues of martyrdom? Bill Viola's video nasty, which he gifted to Tate, is on extended loan to St Paul's (CLICK). If I were the Dean, I'd return it to Tate promptly.

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