Turks set an effigy of U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice on fire, with a shoe fixed to her head, as they shout slogans during protest against Israel's attacks against the Gaza Strip, in Istanbul, Turkey, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2008. Several thousands of protesters carrying Palestinian flags chanted anti-Israel and anti-U.S. slogans and called for an end of Israel's attacks against Gaza. (AP Photo/Ibrahim Usta)
I knew it was only a matter of time, but it doesn't make it any less thrilling!
And again the Middle Eastern Shoe Art Renaissance™ defies expectations. First we saw the homages to Oldenburg and Rauschenberg, then Jeff Koons, so naturally I thought the forward momentum through art history would continue. I envisioned perhaps a shoey Damien Hirst, either encrusted with diamonds or suspended in formaldehyde, or maybe a Chris Ofili tribute dotted with elephant dung. But no! They've gone back to the 1930s and found inspiration from an unlikely source: Elsa Schiaparelli's famous Shoe Hat, her wonderful collaboration with Salvador Dali (memorably referenced by Terry Gilliam in Brazil). And then, like another great modernist, Edward Steichen, they immediately grew disaffected with their creation and set it on fire.
I'm through trying to predict the future of this delightful art movement. Like the rest of you, all I can do is sit back and wait for whatever marvels lie ahead.
EDIT: Condi's praising the Bush legacy some more. A+! Two Ferragamos way up!
12 comments:
Now that is a look I love... it is all about how the shoe is taped, that is what is working for me.
I am fascinated by this! It is unfortunate that the shoe hat does not seem as effective sole-down, but sole-up is probably an insult to the great sky-god.
Really hate to say this, but I wonder how many people in the ME and elsewhere were hoping, as they saw the above photo, that what it depicted could have been the real-life Condi (whatever that is)?
Our Condi thinks that some of the Bush policies deserve an A+.
Readers of this blog know what she is talking about, and that is her leadership in the fabulous shoe policy of the past eight years!
Wait, was she serious abut that?
Of course Condi didn't think promoting US interests and ideals abroad was a "popularity contest". Silly. That's why we have the US military: We Will Make Them Love Us.
They kinda overdid it on the length of Condi's arms, though. Or maybe that's symbolic as well.
Are "Condi's" jeans on backwards?
They don't get her fashion sense at all, but I think they do better with the woman in the clothes.
(EDIT: Now posted with the correct account!)
Her effigy is really *hot*- literally on fire.
Somehow appropriate the bush regime/memory go down in flames. To hell in a handbasket!!!
Well it is sad but noble that a reasonably nice shoe sold its sole for this.
I think they should have found a woman's shoe for this project.
Karen Zipdrive said...
I think they should have found a woman's shoe for this project.
however, the shoe represents the opinion-holder, not the object of his/her opinion. we all know that muslim women are not allowed to have opinions.
...or shoes.
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