December 16, 2008

The thin line between blasphemy and publicity


WE ADORE (or hail) YOU, MARIA

Virgin Mary on the cover of Playboy??

This mexican Playboy edition was published just days before the Feast of Immaculate Conception and Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, catholic holidays in honor of Virgin Mary. It immediately sparked controversy, some called for blasphemy. The mexican Playboy issued an apology, saying that it wasn't meant to portrait the Virgin Mary.

Is it really not a portrait of Mary? Ok, let's see.....

The mozaic pattern behind the model depicts common european church's windows, and I don't think it's a coincidence that the playmate's name is Maria Florencia Onori. The fabric draped on her is also the very similar one we see on every Virgin Mary's painting. And I don't think I even need to comment on the title 'we adore you, Maria' (the catholic church's adoration of Virgin Mary, Ave Maria, Hail Mary, ring a bell?) Oh! don't miss the serene expression she's wearing..

Wow, this is really a great publicity stunt for Playboy, with the timing, title and everything..They did a great job! As we all know, there's no such thing as bad publicity, isn't there?

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