Tuesday, September 08, 2009

Cough, cough, more tea vicar?

An interesting little story surfaced yesterday about a photographer who took some rather "artistic" (nudge, nudge) snap shots in a Church in Cornwall without the permission of the vicar or the church. Now the actions of the photographer do sound quite unreasonable, you can't go around shooting a bunch of "art" using naked models engaging in (simulated?) lesbian sex on private property without some kind of permission; however the way in which the church dealt with this matter is quite astonishing. Rather than approaching him directly and demanding an apology or at least commission, the church instructed their representatives to write letters threatening legal action accusing him of (wait for it) blasphemy, yes that old medieval law that we abolished last year. Now come on guys, if you're going to threaten someone at least use a law that's still on the statute books, was this a case of wishful thinking perhaps?

Anyway, now the case has been dropped, the threats were so obviously hollow that the guy just ignored them and the negative publicity seems to be causing discomfort. Now being of entrepreneurial stock I reckon the church is missing a trick here, I can see a whole new line in set rental for erotic, fetish and alternative life-style art, they'd be queuing up for it! After all, nudity and anatomical detail was all the rage in the Renaissance, oh yes, and aren't we supposed to be all made in God's image?

For reference purposes of course here is an example of one of the pictures (very nice), if you want to see the other pictures (warning they are not suitable for work or under 18s) they are here

6 comments:

Gerrarrdus said...

Being it was in Cornwall, I'm surprised he wasn't threatened with the witchcraft laws for using a magical picture-painting machine.

Or, without any need for the law at all, he could always have gone for the old trusted "bell, book and candle"...

Steve Borthwick said...

Hi G, you've got me thinking now, the "curse of the black spot" has to feature in this story somewhere ! :)

David Keen said...

Bizarre that they didn't use the trespass laws.

Wonder how long it will be before the pictures start appearing in spoof Alpha ads alongside a half-clothed Bear Grylls. Actually, lets not go there.

Steve Borthwick said...

dmk, what a wonderful thought, the Ray Mears guide to Christianity - hey don't nick that idea! :)

Elizabeth said...

I'll bet even my husband could be dragged to that church if those girlies were there.

Steve Borthwick said...

E, at least you'd be in the right place to be forgiven for those thoughts :)