seen from Netherlands
seen from Malaysia
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from United States
seen from United States
seen from Russia
seen from Germany
seen from China
seen from Singapore
seen from Japan
seen from Malaysia
seen from Hong Kong SAR China
seen from China
seen from Russia
seen from United States
seen from China
seen from Bangladesh
seen from United States
seen from United States
Round 1, Match 187 — Catholic Kitsch vs. Kuromicore
Catholic Kitsch is a visual aesthetic characterized by mass-produced, sentimental, and often brightly colored religious objects and imagery associated with Roman Catholic devotion. The term "kitsch," from a German word for trash, is often used derisively, but in this context, it describes a specific category of accessible, popular religious art that is distinct from the formal, "high art" commissioned by the Church. The aesthetic is a central part of "lived religion" for many Catholics, with its objects serving as tangible, everyday reminders of faith within the home and personal spaces. It is an amalgam of the religious and the secular, often blending sacred iconography with the materials and styles of popular commercial culture. The Catholic Kitsch aesthetic is characterized by its sentimentality, use of modern materials, and its often playful or saccharine style. It is designed to evoke a direct and uncomplicated emotional response of piety, comfort, or nostalgia. A key characteristic is the use of inexpensive, mass-produced materials like plastic, plaster, and glitter. This is seen in iconic objects such as glow-in-the-dark rosary beads, plastic dashboard statues of St. Christopher, and novelty items like pope bobbleheads or solar-powered waving pontiffs.
vs.
Kuromicore is a dark feminine aesthetic based on the character Kuromi, who is a white rabbit wearing devil-inspired attire, by the company Sanrio. In Japan, hardcore fans of the character are also referred to as Kuromiotaku (クロミオタク). Kuromicore's origins in the dark alternative J-fashion scene have made it a staple in fashion styles such as Yami Kawaii, Dark Girly, and Jirai Kei. In the west, it has a strong connection in aesthetics such as E-girl, Pastel Goth, Dark Babygirl, and general dark styles in touch with Japanese aesthetics and trends. Common visual elements include Kuromi plushies and paraphanalia, a black/pink/purple color palette, check patterns, skull bows, devil tails, and chains.
Which aesthetic do you prefer?
Catholic Kitsch
Kuromicore
Tony
Today is the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua. My first introduction to St. Anthony was “the prayer.”
A friend of mine had lost her keys. The moment she realized it, she said “Tony, Tony, look around. Something’s lost and must be found!”
I was a newly-minted Catholic at the time. I’d never heard it before.
I laughed and asked her what that was. She explained that it was the prayer to St. Anthony. To find lost things.
I love kitschy things. Especially Catholic kitsch. Which is what her goofy prayer sounded like to me.
Like it was in the same league as my Immaculate Heart of Mary nightlight.
Then she kept repeating it. The look on her face was calm and determined.
The words may have been goofy, but she was really asking for divine intervention.
And she kept asking. With that same calm determination. Until after what seemed like forever (really, it was less than a minute), she knew where they were.
As she grabbed the keys, she said “thanks, Tony.” Just like he was right there with us.
I couldn’t get over it. It was goofy prayer.
But she meant it. She sincerely wanted God’s help. And she trusted God to help.
It was kitschy. But somehow, it was an instrument of God’s grace.
And a witness to a newly-minted Catholic.
Because of her reliance on God. Because she meant it. Because she believed.
All I could think of was St. James’ testimony to God’s generosity (and rebuke to people like me who think they have to do it all themselves) - “You do not have, because you do not ask.”
Today’s Readings
Treasures I found at the Thrift Store today 😍♥️
A commission for Merrimus on dA of their character Rey Garcia. Absolute pleasure to work on this one. I depicted a sacred heart because the theme was Christian charity (ironically). The sacred heart isn’t sourced from Christian tradition though but is instead Neo-Platonic in origin. It’s also a fairly new piece of iconography, from the 17th c. if I recall correctly.
Anyway, this was great fun. If you’d like to commission me I’m always open to hear your ideas.
Tony
Today is the Memorial of St. Anthony of Padua. My first introduction to St. Anthony was “the prayer.”
A friend of mine had lost her keys. The moment she realized it, she said “Tony, Tony, look around. Something’s lost and must be found!”
I was a newly-minted Catholic at the time. I’d never heard it before.
I laughed and asked her what that was. She explained that it was the prayer to St. Anthony. To find lost things.
I love kitschy things. Especially Catholic kitsch. Which is what her goofy prayer sounded like to me. Like it was in the same league as my Virgin Mary nightlight.
Then she kept repeating it. The look on her face was calm and determined.
The words may have been goofy, but she was really asking for divine intervention.
And she kept asking. With that same calm determination. Until after what seemed like forever (really, it was less than a minute), she knew where they were.
As she grabbed the keys, she said “thanks, Tony.” Just like he was right there with us.
I couldn’t get over it. It was goofy prayer.
But she meant it. She sincerely wanted God’s help. And she trusted God to help.
It was kitschy. But somehow, it was an instrument of God’s grace.
And a witness to a newly-minted Catholic.
Because of her reliance on God. Because she meant it. Because she believed.
All I could think of was St. James’ testimony to God’s generosity (and rebuke to people like me who think they have to do it all themselves) - “You do not have, because you do not ask.”
Today’s Readings
Obligatory photoshoot of Jesus of Świebodzin.
"Pieta" by Bettina Rheims from "I.N.R.I." photo album.
