Bringing such a criticism to a gala supposedly celebrating Catholicism is evidently not in the spirit of the event. An anonymous student contributor criticised Rihanna as her “papal vestments were both immodest and clearly a political statement about women’s ordination rather than a celebration of Catholic art.” The ordination of women into the priesthood is an issue which the Church has had backlash about in recent years. One might also criticise the Met Gala for not properly taking into account the Catholic value of modesty.Īlthough Heavenly Bodies was construed purely as an art form, in order to appreciate the rich history of Catholic visual imagination, it is clear that the Gala in many cases was highly political, and some of the celebrities (whether intentionally or not) made some provocative political statements. Those wearing the designs, however, are more liable to be criticised. The designers, therefore, can only be accused of appreciation because they aimed to display their own culture. Indeed most of the designers who partook in creating the pieces for the Gala and the Metropolitan Museum’s exhibition were Catholic, or else had a Catholic upbringing. However, whether it can properly be called ‘cultural appreciation’ is another matter. Such divine images may hold the key to (re)introducing many people to the awesome beauty of Catholicism.Īs Catholicism is not an historically oppressed religion, its art and style cannot be considered to have been ‘culturally appropriated’ in the Gala. Doubtless the event was a success, and the fashion is undeniably stunning. The Met Gala, with its huge attendance and media coverage, brought Catholicism back into a wide public sphere. Church attendance is at an incredible low-point in Europe and America, with many people attending Church only once a week, and some only attending on religious holidays. Some people believe that this move by the Vatican may have provided the Catholic Church with a much-needed boost.
They allowed objects of their collections to pass beyond the doors of the Vatican in order to be used in what I can describe as a fashion show. The Vatican, however, evidently gave not only its permission but also its support to the designers and organisers of the event. Celebrities bearing halos, vestments, and enormous wings could be seen to elevate themselves above their station. The public display of papal artefacts alongside designer outfits might seem disrespectful, reducing Catholicism to a fashion accessory. The theme of the 2018 Met Gala – Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination – has had some mixed reviews within and without of the Catholic community, with diverse opinions across the board.