Drag queen doubles down on Olympics Last Supper ‘mockery’

Drag queen admits the opening ceremony performance was a parody of the Last Supper despite organizers' soft apology.


Pop Culture & Art July 29, 2024
-Instagram@barbarabutch

Barbara Butch, one of the artists involved in the controversial opening ceremony of the Paris Olympics, confirmed that the performance was intended to parody Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper.

Butch, who portrayed Jesus in the parody while wearing a silver headdress and low-cut dress, shared on her Instagram profile that she is a “Love activist, DJ, and producer based in Paris,” aiming to unite people through music.

She posted an image of the drag parody juxtaposed with Da Vinci’s original painting with the caption:

“Oh yes! Oh yes! The new gay testament!”

The post was later deleted.

These confirmations contrast with the explanation offered by the Paris Olympics’ organising committee, which stated that the controversial scene was an “interpretation of the Greek God Dionysus” aimed at highlighting the absurdity of human violence.

The French Bishops Conference criticised the performance, stating it included scenes of "mockery and derision of Christianity," which they deeply regretted. They acknowledged the ceremony's overall beauty and joy but noted the hurt caused to Christians worldwide by these provocative scenes.

In response to the backlash, Paris 2024 spokesperson Anne Descamps issued a soft apology, stating, "Clearly there was never an intention to show disrespect to any religious group. On the contrary, I think (with) Thomas Jolly, we really did try to celebrate community tolerance." Thomas Jolly, the ceremony’s artistic director, echoed this sentiment, expressing that the performance aimed to send a message of love and inclusion, not to provoke or shock.

Despite the apologies, the performance has sparked significant debate, with some commentators suggesting it referenced the feast of Dionysus rather than the Last Supper. Nonetheless, the artists' statements confirm their intention to parody the iconic painting, stirring considerable controversy in its wake.

 

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