{"id":28577,"date":"2020-12-22T06:55:48","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T14:55:48","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.heuermontage.com\/?p=28577"},"modified":"2020-12-22T06:55:51","modified_gmt":"2020-12-22T14:55:51","slug":"of-presepi-and-snark-and-pique","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.heuermontage.com\/?p=28577","title":{"rendered":"Of Presepi and Snark and Pique"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

I got scooped by the New York Times. Well, I had started to write about a tempest in a manger<\/em> on Thursday and then this article<\/a> about it appeared in the NYT on Friday: uproar over the Vatican’s choice of a publicly displayed Nativity Scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Italian word for creche or nativity scene is presepe<\/em>, Italy the latter’s place of birth, as well as the place where controversy erupts over the Vatican’s annual choice of what they display in St. Peter’s Square at this time of year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The 2020 scene is made up of large, somewhat abstract, cylindrical ceramic figures made by high schoolers in the late 1960s to early 1970s. Displayed are a few pieces of a 54-statue collection which include a blonde Mary, the Magi, a bagpiper, an executioner, a shepherdess holding a jug and even an astronaut, meant to reference the history of ancient art and scientific achievements in the world. (All images of the creche are from the articles below.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Vatican has called the Nativity scene \u201ccontemporary and unconventional,\u201d hoping it would entice viewers to dig deeper into their faith and understanding. The presep<\/em>e is \u201cinfused with contemporary events from recent years\u201d that include \u201csetting foot on the moon, the Second Vatican Council and the abolition of the death penalty\u201d (the latter two themes reflecting matters being close to Pope Francis\u2019 heart). (Ref<\/a>.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The “milder” criticism<\/a>s attack “its post-modern artistic look, which critics say radically breaks with traditional Nativity scenes and fails to evangelize or inspire others about the mystery of the Incarnation<\/em>.”  (It sure inspires about the mysteries of high-school art, though, don’t you agree?) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Others complain that in this year of all years we need something traditional and tender to counteract the constraints on Christmas as usual. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then there are those who assume the negative reactions are simply the result of not understanding the Nativity scene: \u201cthis was something that Pope Francis commissioned. And obviously, the whole anti-Francis brigade went berserk.\u201d (Details in the link below)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n
Away with the manger? Nativity scene at Vatican generates controversy<\/a><\/blockquote>